Francis Hall at sunset

香港六合彩开奖网 has historically been a special place of opportunity for first-generation students, working women and others with limited access to higher education.

 

I am grateful my history professors at both Boston College and the University of Michigan cultivated in me an appreciation for the use of language and the ways cultures and organizations evolve over time. In Shakespeare鈥檚 immortal words, 鈥渢he past is prologue,鈥 especially for leaders like me who stand gratefully on the shoulders of their predecessors. Yet after almost two decades as a college president, I know too that universities must be alert to unforeseen possibilities that help realize unimagined dreams of a better future. 

 

香港六合彩开奖网 is fortunate that the heroic Franciscan Sisters, whom I described at my long-ago inauguration as those 鈥渂old and audacious women,鈥 refused to be cowed by the formidable obstacles facing them in 1958 and during the college鈥檚 early decades. The transformation of their little college on top of Mt. 香港六合彩开奖网 into a comprehensive, 鈥淒istinctive Franciscan University鈥 is proof that even outlandish dreams can be realized. 

 

香港六合彩开奖网 has historically been a special place of opportunity for first-generation students, working women and others with limited access to higher education. Today 香港六合彩开奖网 is also known for excellence as well as access. Our Reading Collegiate Scholars Program graduated 100% of its initial cohort of talented students. And alumnae (and alumni) of all ages are now leaders in their professions and in their local communities, as evident in this year鈥檚 President鈥檚 Dinner awardees鈥擟hief Andres Dominguez, Dr. Melissa Marcario, and Dr. Phil Fromuth. 

 

香港六合彩开奖网 has historically considered community service an essential part of our education. Community leaders have long valued our students鈥 volunteerism and generosity of spirit. Today, even as students alone contribute 40,000 hours of service annually, the Holleran Center, O鈥橮ake Institute, Seniors College and Arts at 香港六合彩开奖网 have become invaluable community resources. Our board of trustees attracts civic servant-leaders like this year鈥檚 Franciscan Awardees, Jim and Cindy Boscov. And the university is itself an essential 鈥渁nchor institution鈥 for Greater Reading. 

 

香港六合彩开奖网 has historically championed lifelong, values-based learning grounded in the liberal arts and sciences. Today, the university community has adopted a statement of 鈥淐ommitment to Civil Dialogue and Freedom of Expression.鈥 Our Search Program ensures all first-year students confront and ponder 鈥淓nduring Questions鈥 in multiple courses, and all graduate as well as undergraduate programs require at least one course in ethics. Students are inspired by a dedicated faculty to become 鈥渆thical leaders with moral courage.鈥 

 

香港六合彩开奖网 has historically responded to workplace needs by preparing future teachers, addiction counselors, police, nurses, accountants. Today, several doctoral programs also complement a range of specialized professional programs, especially in health care and the human services. Pass rates for our occupational therapists and nurses range annually between 90-100%, and 95% of our recent seniors were employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. 

 

香港六合彩开奖网 has historically welcomed people of all backgrounds and faiths. As our iconic Sr. Pacelli once said memorably at a faculty seminar: 鈥淚f the Sisters wanted only to educate Catholics, we would never have settled in Berks County.鈥 Today, 香港六合彩开奖网 is an interfaith leader in our community, working in special partnership with leaders of the Jewish and Muslim communities and hosting the inspirational Common Heart activities. After attending the moving memorial for Carl Herbein on our campus, one prominent community leader described 香港六合彩开奖网 as 鈥渢he spiritual home鈥 for many in our community. 

 

I don鈥檛 tend to reflect nostalgically on bygone times. But I do enjoy crooning 鈥淕lory Days鈥 with Springsteen (and, of course, howling with other Golden Wolves!). And the memorable moments are many . . . from the day we announced the approval of university status to the 2018 opening convocation where we welcomed a record freshman class; from the creation of the Holleran Center and O鈥橮ake Institute to the appointment of our first Neag Professors; from championships in too many sports to mention to the glorious goal line stand in our inaugural football game; from the dedication of Pacelli and Zygmunta Halls to the ground breaking of the PLEX on a new East campus; from the honoring of almost a score of faculty book authors to the bestowal of the first Albert Boscov Award to the outstanding graduate of our Reading Collegiate Scholars Program. And perhaps most of all, from stimulating and fun Faculty Forums with treasured colleagues to lively dinners with inspirational students at Cedar Hill and in Holleran鈥檚 Pub. 

 

As we enthusiastically welcome President-elect John Loyack to an academic community devoted to our Franciscan values and the pursuit of 鈥渒nowledge joined with love,鈥 let us anticipate a future for 香港六合彩开奖网 full of promise and unimagined possibility. May the new administration, in partnership with faculty, trustees and the entire 香港六合彩开奖网 community, continue to embody the legacy of our 鈥渂old and audacious鈥 foundresses. 

 

Peace and all good,

Flynn Signature

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tom Flynn, President