A Message from Chair NeCastro
There are some strange things about serving as an interim university president. Take this column, for instance. It’s my frst chance to address the Mercyhurst community in this forum, and it’s also my last. Although this is such an unusual role, it’s been one of the most engaging and inspiring chapters in my professional and personal life. As I write these words, I’m happily anticipating the arrival of our new president, Dr. Kathleen Getz. And by the time you read them, she will have assumed the presidency. This period of waiting gives me a chance to refect on the last six months and all that has transpired. When I began this brief journey, my goal was simply to keep the trains running. I wanted to help us all to move beyond the uncertainty of a change in leadership and to encourage this team of professionals to get back to what they do best — provide an outstanding college experience for those lucky enough to pass through our gates. But the world of higher education, and at Mercyhurst in particular, stands still for no one, interim or not. There was much to be done, and every day brought new opportunities and challenges for the occupant of the ofce of the president. In these moments, I learned more about Mercyhurst than I First, and this probably goes without saying, there is something really special about this place. One of our Core Values states that we are “compassionately hospitable.” I was warmly welcomed to the university and to my interim role by everyone I met. More importantly, we welcome everyone in this way, and it leaves a lasting impression — on students, families, staf, and faculty. This is truly a great place to call home. As you welcome Dr. Getz to her new home, I’m certain that you’ll make her feel this sense of hospitality as well. Second, we are part of a community that embraces hard work. Our mission statement says that we have an “appreciation for the dignity of work and a commitment to serving others.”The people at Mercyhurst live this every day. Every time I asked someone to take on additional work or a special project or to help me work through a difcult situation, they accepted the challenge without hesitation. Rather than let COVID-19 waylay graduation plans for our students, we planned and executed fve diferent socially distanced commencement exercises over one weekend. We made great strides in our diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, we continued to renew campus facilities, and even forged some new partnerships along the way. And, lest we forget, we successfully concluded the search for a new president! had learned in my prior 46-year afliation with the school. Here are the three most important things I’ve learned.
Lastly, the Mercyhurst communyit always looks to the futuerwith a sense of optimismTh. is is an infectious qualyit, one thta makes all of the hdawrork we do ef el justifed and meaningful. Presiding ta commenecment gave me a
true sense of thixsceitement for the futuer, andof r what we do and wyhwe do it. We prepare our studetns for the futuer, and ther is almost nothing so impotrant. Further, a presidential seacrh is all about the fuet,uarnd we’ve selected a leader who will help us acehoieuvr visionofr that futuer. I feel this optimism andxceitement from one end of campoustht e othe. r As we look aheadowt ard our seocnd century, we are fully wa are that our work is never done. Dr. Getz will hvae no shotrage of oppoturnities and challengesotmanag.eBut she will inhitear rich traditionofunded in the Mercy Mission, a hiostry of sucessful innvoation, and a taletend and hard-working team ot make her sucecssfu.lI have every confdenec that Mercyhurst will thivre under her leadership andt wtheaare well positioned for the nxet 100 years. Let me closeybthanking everyone of r your warm welcome, your unfagging suppotrand your hadr work. A special thankos the cabin,et who pulledotgether in a time of uenrtcainty and tarnsition andocntinued to move Mercyhurstofrward; andot my assistatn, Stacey, for taking on the difcult task ofytirng ot make me look go.oI dam porud ot have been a member of thiesatm. In anticipation of my return to the boadr, I lookofrward to watching our progress, and will do so withidper, afection, and a belief thtahe best iseyt to come. Please know that serving as the tienrim per sident of Mercyhurst University has been one of threagtest honors ofymlife.
In Gratitude,
Joseph G. NeCastro Chair, Mercyhurst University Board of Trustees
’ ON THE C OVER: Meet Kathleen A. Getz, Ph.D., who assumed her duties as Mercyhurst ' s 13th president on July 12, 2021. A formal investiture will be held on Saturday, Oct. 2. Complete details will be posted to the university s inauguration webpage at mercyhurst.edu/inauguration. (Photo by Leena M. Clint ‘16)
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