A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT GETZ Fall has returned to Mercyhurst’s campus—and what a wonderful time it is, with new students getting their first taste of college life, returning students renewing friendships and embracing the next steps of their college journeys, and faculty recharged from summers of scholarship and adventure. We’re enjoying football, soccer, theatrical productions, and more. The campus is aglow with intellectual electricity. There’s crispness in the morning air and warmth in the afternoon. Truly, it’s no wonder so many people say fall is their favorite time of year! Perhaps the first thing you noticed about this issue of Mercyhurst Magazine is that we’ve gone digital. Previously, we printed about 20,000 copies of the magazine for distribution each fall and spring, and beginning with this edition, we’re printing only 500. For the most part, those will be conveyed to the library and archives and available for university guests and visitors. There are two key benefits of this change. First, we are becoming more environmentally sustainable. Changing to a digital format will save paper and fuel, yielding real environmental benefits. Second, moving to a digital format will result in cost savings for the university as we no longer pay for paper, printing, and postage. Those savings can now be redeployed to serve our primary mission of educating students. At a time when colleges and universities are competing for declining numbers of high school graduates and facing scrutiny over the value of higher education, we need to focus on our distinctiveness to flourish. Our niche academic programs, our hospitable campus culture, and our enduring Mercy Mission differentiate us from other institutions. On the following pages, you will see how Mercyhurst graduates have embraced Mercyhurst’s value and
distinctiveness to cultivate bright and promising futures of their own. In this issue, we highlight three programs— Hospitality Management, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, Intelligence Studies, its 30th, and Sports Medicine. We also feature a story about our programming in Ireland. I was privileged to visit Dungarvan in April, while our students
were studying there. I saw firsthand the dedication of the faculty, the excitement of the students, and the warm hospitality of the people of Dungarvan. As well, I met with key public officials in County Waterford, who are so supportive of Mercyhurst. Sadly, my visit coincided with the passing of Dr. Heidi Hosey- McGurk, who spearheaded the Ireland program, which began in 2010, and led it with enthusiasm and finesse. We have some serious and important work planned for this academic year beyond the attention we always give to education in the Mercy tradition. As the President’s Advisory Council for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice reconvenes, we will develop a plan to ensure continuous improvement in this area. I invite you to view our new DEIJ webpage ( mercyhurst.edu/about/deij ). Also this year, with support from a $10,000 grant from the Stackpole-Hall Foundation, we will invite our community members to participate in a series of discussions of difficult topics
President Getz makes memories with Mercyhurst students in Dungarvan.
to promote skills in civil discourse. Another initiative will be the expansion of our already outstanding work in neurodiversity, through the newly named Brad McGarry Center for Neurodiversity. In addition to supporting students on the autism spectrum, we will work more closely with major companies, assisting them in their efforts to hire and promote neurodiverse individuals. Of course, we’re planning to have fun as well, with Hurst Day again a highlight of the fall semester for students and employees, and Homecoming as a treasured tradition for all. Indeed, I look forward to seeing you on campus Homecoming Weekend Sept. 30-Oct. 2.
Carpe Diem,
Kathleen A. Getz, Ph.D.
ON THE COVER: Mercyhurst’s value and distinctiveness deliver
bright futures for graduates. (Cover design by Lauren Esper)
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