Celebrating 90 Years

In the Fall of 1932 the Sisters of Providence, the Ursuline Sisters, and Bishop Eldon
O’Hara, joined with business and civic leaders of Great Falls to launch a Junior
College for Women.

Since then, more than our name has changed. First called the College of Great
Falls, then the University of Great Falls, we are now known as the University of
Providence. What started as an all-girls school is now open to all. Argos, unheard of
ninety years ago, is now an essential part of our UP identity.

Programs, no longer considered viable, were suspended as the sisters and their
successors sought to respond to emerging needs. During WWII, for example, partnering
with Malmstrom Airforce Base, an aviation and a military nursing program were introduced.
In the 1950s, the sisters, faculty, and staff transformed an old bus into a traveling classroom
which provided educational opportunities for those unable to travel to Great Falls.

More recently, the re-introduction of our nursing programs led to the founding of a School
of Health Professions, while a certificate in mission studies for leaders and a degree in sports
management have been added to the curriculum of the School of Liberal Arts and Science.
During our 90th anniversary, we intend to plan for the future of UP in preparation of UP 100. We have
exciting new plans to launch, while strengthening and developing those already offered.

The work started by the Sisters of Providence and continued by generations of benefactors, alumni,
staff, and faculty, needs your financial support.

Please join me as a benefactor and financial supporter of our new initiatives at the University of
Providence. In doing so, you help all who serve here to continue, “to provide students with the
opportunity to obtain a liberal education for living and for making a living.”

In Providence, Fr. Oliver