2024 Presidential Inauguration Glynis Fitzgerald

University鈥檚 Franciscan history and future highlights inauguration of Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. 

萝莉原创 officially installs Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D., as its eighth president in the institution鈥檚 history during an inauguration ceremony on Friday afternoon at the university鈥檚 Physical Education Center. 

 

鈥淭his is indeed a great day for the university,鈥 said 萝莉原创 Board of Trustees Chairperson Gregory J. Shemanski. 鈥淔or only the eighth time in our 65-year history, we observe the installation of a new leader. Today we celebrate a new beginning鈥攂uilding on the strong foundation set by our foundresses, the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters, and the previous seven presidents of 萝莉原创.鈥 

 

During the presidential address, Fitzgerald outlined her reasons for optimism for the future of 萝莉原创 which included the university鈥檚 history of service and innovation, the campus locations and the communities in which the university serves, the university鈥檚 ever-evolving culture of care and commitment to student success and deepening strategic partnership network.  

 

鈥淎s President, I intend to foster an atmosphere where we facilitate conversations with our community partners in determining how to approach problems together, asking the right questions to flesh out the relevant issues to be addressed, and furthering the deep work in the community with partners already active in these spaces,鈥 said Fitzgerald. 鈥淪o, as I accept the honor and responsibility of being inaugurated as 萝莉原创's eighth president, I invite you to be my partners, to be 萝莉原创's partners, as we undertake that work.鈥 

 

Over 300 attendees, including elected officials, college officials, 萝莉原创 students, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni and personal friends of Fitzgerald, gathered for the ceremony.  

 

鈥淚n the years I鈥檝e known Dr. Fitzgerald, she has proven herself to be a compassionate leader, an innovator who has the mission of 萝莉原创 at heart, and someone who is very involved within our community,鈥 said Pennsylvania State Senator Judith L. Schwank. 

 

Following nearly five years as Senior Vice President and Provost, Fitzgerald commenced her tenure as president on July 1, 2023. The week of inauguration events showcased the history and tradition of the university and academia, as well as an inside look at Fitzgerald鈥檚 vision and personality.  

鈥淓ver since I met her during our grad school days, the word exactly was Dr Fitzgerald鈥檚 simple yet elegant way to express that she is engaged and fully on board in conversation with you,鈥 said Rutgers University Chair of Communication and Fitzgerald鈥檚 graduate school classmate Marya L. Doerfel, Ph.D. 鈥淣ow, standing here reflecting on the person I knew then and who I know now, it is clear to me that her character, her ability to translate across worlds, her dedication to the service of others, and her fundamental knowledge about communication and relationships is why I get to use her word- exactly! She is exactly why we鈥檙e here today.鈥

 

The inauguration celebration officially concludes with the university鈥檚 Earth Day of Service, in which 250 students, faculty, and staff are expected to serve together throughout Berks County. For a complete listing of events, photos, and videos, please visit 萝莉原创.edu/Inauguration

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