Courage lives here.
With a 134-year history rooted in Catholic Benedictine values, Saint Leo University is a place of belonging for all those in pursuit of a greater purpose in life. Here, we courageously pursue truth and knowledge, put people first, make learning accessible, and let our Catholic faith lead us forward.
Courage Stories
Saint Leo University students and alumni share how the university supports their personal and professional success.
Charles Onyeneke ’17
While Reverend Charles Onyeneke ’17 began his journey to religious life as an 8-year-old altar server in Nigeria, it was faith in himself and his academic institution that helped him become an ordained priest. As an international student living in the United States for the first time, Charles discovered the power of patience and a “listening ear” from his professors as he earned his master’s degree in theology from a university he chose because of its strong Catholic values. “Saint Leo is not just an academic institution, it’s a formation institution. Saint Leo embraced me for who I am, showed faith that I could be my best, and solidified the light that was shining within me.”
Brent Patterson ’21
Physical therapist and front-line health care supervisor Brent Patterson ’21 found faith and compassion from his Saint Leo professors and classmates as he confronted the mental and physical challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The instructors knew each person, and they never hesitated to be there for their students. Brent’s instructors and classmates eased the pressures of front-line life and treated each other as family. In his online classes, he found open discussion and a university that demonstrates faith, values each person, and encourages everyone to succeed. “As a child, my great-grandmother taught me how to pray and to lean on God. Saint Leo inspired us all to learn with compassion and reminded me to keep the faith.”
Brooke Wittington ’17
For Brooke Wittington ’17, finding her place among a small group of peers was paramount to her journey as an educator. Working toward her bachelor’s degree as an adult at Saint Leo’s education centers, Brooke became inspired by instructors who emerged as her role models. Because of Saint Leo, Brooke learned to create transparency and personal connections in the classroom. She developed a true understanding of student relationships and how to build them, earning the hearts of her fourth-grade students and the admiration of her colleagues as a 2023 Florida Teacher of the Year finalist. “As a teacher, building relationships with my students is key to their success. Saint Leo creates those same relationships with its students.”
Courage Stories
Saint Leo University students and alumni share how the university supports their personal and professional success.
Charles Onyeneke ’17
While Reverend Charles Onyeneke ’17 began his journey to religious life as an 8-year-old altar server in Nigeria, it was faith in himself and his academic institution that helped him become an ordained priest. As an international student living in the United States for the first time, Charles discovered the power of patience and a “listening ear” from his professors as he earned his master’s degree in theology from a university he chose because of its strong Catholic values. “Saint Leo is not just an academic institution, it’s a formation institution. Saint Leo embraced me for who I am, showed faith that I could be my best, and solidified the light that was shining within me.”
Brent Patterson ’21
Physical therapist and front-line health care supervisor Brent Patterson ’21 found faith and compassion from his Saint Leo professors and classmates as he confronted the mental and physical challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The instructors knew each person, and they never hesitated to be there for their students. Brent’s instructors and classmates eased the pressures of front-line life and treated each other as family. In his online classes, he found open discussion and a university that demonstrates faith, values each person, and encourages everyone to succeed. “As a child, my great-grandmother taught me how to pray and to lean on God. Saint Leo inspired us all to learn with compassion and reminded me to keep the faith.”
Brooke Wittington ’17
For Brooke Wittington ’17, finding her place among a small group of peers was paramount to her journey as an educator. Working toward her bachelor’s degree as an adult at Saint Leo’s education centers, Brooke became inspired by instructors who emerged as her role models. Because of Saint Leo, Brooke learned to create transparency and personal connections in the classroom. She developed a true understanding of student relationships and how to build them, earning the hearts of her fourth-grade students and the admiration of her colleagues as a 2023 Florida Teacher of the Year finalist. “As a teacher, building relationships with my students is key to their success. Saint Leo creates those same relationships with its students.”
Tayhana Taylor ’24
Working for a “Big Four” accounting firm was always part of the vision for Tayhana Taylor ’24 when she left Jamaica to attend Saint Leo University. To help make her goal a reality, Tayhana’s professors taught her that success is not a linear path and inspired her to seek out the advice of others. Tayhana completed three internships with accounting firms large and small and now will graduate from a small university that’s helping her make big connections. “Saint Leo believes in me. My professors have impacted my perception of what I can accomplish.”
#CourageToBeMore
It`s the start of a new year and a new semester at Saint Leo University!
Lions, as you meet your professors and attend your first classes, we hope you`re inspired, excited, and ready to make this year count. Have a fantastic first day.
It`s the start of a new year and a new semester at Saint Leo University!
Lions, as you meet your professors and attend your first classes, we hope you`re inspired, excited, and ready to make this year count. Have a fantastic first day.
🌟 Ready to embark on your journey as a #SaintLeoLion? Follow these steps to register for a campus tour and make the most out of your visit! 🦁✨
📅Mark your calendar: Tours are available Monday through Friday at 10 AM and 2 PM, and on select Saturdays.
🔖 Don’t forget to bookmark this post for easy access to registration instructions. #SaintLeoUniversity #couragetobemore
🌟 Ready to embark on your journey as a #SaintLeoLion? Follow these steps to register for a campus tour and make the most out of your visit! 🦁✨
📅Mark your calendar: Tours are available Monday through Friday at 10 AM and 2 PM, and on select Saturdays.
🔖 Don’t forget to bookmark this post for easy access to registration instructions. #SaintLeoUniversity #couragetobemore
On January 29, the Saint Leo community joined the Benedictine Monks of Saint Leo Abbey at a special Solemn Mass to close the 75th jubilee anniversary of the consecration of the Saint Leo Abbey Church.
Bishop Elias Lorenzo, OSB, from the Archdiocese of Newark, NJ, presided at the Mass and Archabbot Martin de Porres Bartel of Saint Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, PA, preached the Gospel.
Following Mass, our community gathered in the Dining Hall for a premium lunch and received educational takeaways about the history of the Abbey Church and the Benedictine Monks of Saint Leo Abbey.
Be sure to watch our reel about Saint Leo Abbey Church, led by Father Lucius and two special guests!
On January 29, the Saint Leo community joined the Benedictine Monks of Saint Leo Abbey at a special Solemn Mass to close the 75th jubilee anniversary of the consecration of the Saint Leo Abbey Church.
Bishop Elias Lorenzo, OSB, from the Archdiocese of Newark, NJ, presided at the Mass and Archabbot Martin de Porres Bartel of Saint Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, PA, preached the Gospel.
Following Mass, our community gathered in the Dining Hall for a premium lunch and received educational takeaways about the history of the Abbey Church and the Benedictine Monks of Saint Leo Abbey.
Be sure to watch our reel about Saint Leo Abbey Church, led by Father Lucius and two special guests!
It was a great opportunity for saintleosgu to attend the Veterans Day ceremony put on by our amazing saintleomilitaryservices. May God bless the USA!!!
#mysaintleo #saintleouniversity #saintleo #saintleosgu #couragetobemore #veteransday #salutetoservice #veteraneducation #florida #khristianparrish
It was a great opportunity for saintleosgu to attend the Veterans Day ceremony put on by our amazing saintleomilitaryservices. May God bless the USA!!!
#mysaintleo #saintleouniversity #saintleo #saintleosgu #couragetobemore #veteransday #salutetoservice #veteraneducation #florida #khristianparrish
Are you a current Saint Leo student with a passion for Saint Leo University and social media? Brand Marketing & Communications is now accepting applications for our 2024-2025 Social Media Student Ambassadors. Charismatic, reliable individuals who are comfortable on camera and have strong social media experience should apply. Applicants also must be full-time, undergraduate students attending classes at University Campus.
Email socialmedia@saintleo.edu to learn more and to receive an application.
Are you a current Saint Leo student with a passion for Saint Leo University and social media? Brand Marketing & Communications is now accepting applications for our 2024-2025 Social Media Student Ambassadors. Charismatic, reliable individuals who are comfortable on camera and have strong social media experience should apply. Applicants also must be full-time, undergraduate students attending classes at University Campus.
Email socialmedia@saintleo.edu to learn more and to receive an application.
It was great to see the resolution my fellow senators and I worked on getting signed by our SGU President today. We did great work and hope this resolution will help improve Saint Leo University to its full potential.
#saintleouniversity #saintleosgu #mysaintleo #couragetobemore #khristianparrish
It was great to see the resolution my fellow senators and I worked on getting signed by our SGU President today. We did great work and hope this resolution will help improve Saint Leo University to its full potential.
#saintleouniversity #saintleosgu #mysaintleo #couragetobemore #khristianparrish
Big man on campus! 🦁🐾
#couragetobemore #saintleouniversity saintleouniv
Saint Leo University wishes our friends and family a very happy and blessed Hanukkah!
As Hanukkah commences at sundown tonight with the lighting of the menorah, Rabbi David Maayan, assistant director of Saint Leo University’s CCJS and the Maureen and Douglas Cohn Visiting Chair in Jewish Thought, shares more about the holiness of Hanukkah lights.
“Judaism teaches that we are not permitted to make use of the Hanukkah lights but only to look at them with thankfulness and appreciation — for these lights are holy. So too each human being’s soul is a ‘candle of God’ [Proverbs 20:27]. May we look at one another not in order to measure the other’s potential usefulness to ourselves, but for the opportunity to appreciate each person’s unique light.”
Saint Leo University wishes our friends and family a very happy and blessed Hanukkah!
As Hanukkah commences at sundown tonight with the lighting of the menorah, Rabbi David Maayan, assistant director of Saint Leo University’s CCJS and the Maureen and Douglas Cohn Visiting Chair in Jewish Thought, shares more about the holiness of Hanukkah lights.
“Judaism teaches that we are not permitted to make use of the Hanukkah lights but only to look at them with thankfulness and appreciation — for these lights are holy. So too each human being’s soul is a ‘candle of God’ [Proverbs 20:27]. May we look at one another not in order to measure the other’s potential usefulness to ourselves, but for the opportunity to appreciate each person’s unique light.”