Owensboro. Coeducational extension courses were started at Owensboro and eventually grew into its own campus. After World War II, the two campuses were consolidated, thus, becoming fully co-educational. In 1951, it was renamed Brescia College, after the Italian city of Brescia, where Saint Angela Merici founded the original order. It changed its name, in 1998, to become Brescia University, with the addition of Master's degree programs in Management and Curriculum and Instruction.
== Athletics ==
The Brescia athletic teams are called the Bearcats. The institution is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the River States Conference (RSC), since the 1984–85 academic year.
Brescia competes in 18 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis and track and field, while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field and volleyball. Cheer is offered …
