After a weeklong series of Inauguration events “Inspired by Faith, Dedicated to Service, United in Community,” Colleen M. Hanycz, Ph.D., was formally installed as La Salle’s 29th President on Friday, Oct. 9, in an elegantly decorated Tom Gola Arena.

The ceremony honored the institution’s rich Lasallian tradition and enlivened the crowd with excitement for the next chapter in the University’s 152-year history.

“Preparing for this day has provided us a fascinating glimpse into the history of occasions such as this and not only an understanding of the importance of tradition in academic life, but also the importance of the mission of the University and how leadership is so critical to the University at this stage in its history,” said Board Chair Steve Zarrilli, ’83. “The values we celebrate today are truly those needed by students as they prepare for their lives in the 21st century. We are all privileged to serve together in this great mission.”

Alumni representatives from the Classes of 1948–2015 and delegates from more than 45 colleges and universities joined La Salle’s faculty, administrators, Trustees, and distinguished guests in a vibrant procession, along with leaders in local government, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and higher education who also came to commemorate this historic occasion.

During the ceremony, President Hanycz received greetings and words of inspiration from several of these leaders, including The Most Reverend Bishop Michael Fitzgerald and Christopher Mominey from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia; Terrence Downey, Chair of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities of Canada and President of St. Thomas More College; Don Francis, President of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania; and Cindy Bass, councilwoman for Philadelphia’s Eighth District.

“I know that Colleen is worthy of the great trust you have placed in her leadership as she has demonstrated that she truly appreciates the scholarly principles that have defined this renowned University: a resolute commitment to academic freedom; rigorous intellectual standards; an unrelenting search for truth, meaning, and purpose; a passion for social justice; respect for all persons; and concern for the poor.” —Terrence Downey, Ph.D., Chair of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities of Canada and President of St. Thomas More College

As this was La Salle’s first Inauguration of the 21st century, technology and social media channels helped Explorers across the country and around the globe share in the celebrations, even if they couldn’t make it to campus. Many turned to local media coverage for highlights from this historic event, while others watched a livestream of the entire ceremony on the University’s website. Smartphone photos, videos, well wishes, and congratulatory messages from near and far filled Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter with the hashtags #WelcomeColleen and #PrezHanycz.

Representatives from all over the La Salle community presented calls to service and investiture to President Hanycz:

• Brothers of the Christian Schools— Br. Dennis Malloy, F.S.C., ’74, M.A. ’82, Provincial/Visitor of the District of Eastern North America
• Staff—Anna Melnyk Allen, ’80, Associate Dean of Students
• Faculty—Nancy Jones, Ph.D., President of the Faculty Senate
• Parents and Families—Karen Mallamaci, President of La Salle Parents and Families
• Alumni—AmyLynn Flood, ’95, President of the Alumni Association
• Students—Beckett Woodworth, Class of 2017, President of the Students’ Government Association
• Hanycz Family—Claire Hanycz, youngest daughter of the President

“In a letter to his followers, St. John Baptist de La Salle wrote, ‘Do not forget to thank God for His many blessings.’ On behalf of my Dad, my brother Erik, and my sister Emily, I want to thank God for the blessing of my mom and for allowing us to share her with La Salle University. Mom, you have our support in all that you do to make this great school and community even greater.” —Claire Hanycz, daughter of President Hanycz

During the ceremony, Zarilli and Br. Dennis presented Hanycz with two enduring emblems of La Salle University—the University mace and Presidential medallion.

In her inaugural address, President Hanycz shared her commitment to the Lasallian mission and her belief that it must be an organizing principle for the University’s programming and curriculum that is evident in our classrooms, on our playing fields, in our residence halls, and beyond our campus bounds.

“Together, we will build the vision for this University,” she said. “It is a vision of faith, of hope, of commitment to the future, and with service to our students and community at its very heart, and it will belong to all of us.”

De La Salle Reception and Dinner

Some of the University’s most generous benefactors gathered on Sunday, Oct. 4, to welcome President Hanycz and celebrate her Inauguration in a special way at the De La Salle Reception and Dinner in Treetops Café.

The event brought together some of La Salle University’s greatest supporters and advocates, including Vince Anderson, ’61, and his wife, Bonnie (pictured above with the new President). Members of the De La Salle Society, the Andersons have made commitments to many of La Salle’s initiatives, as well as establishing a scholarship endowment to benefit students in the School of Arts and Sciences and providing financial support for the construction of the new School of Business facility.

As ardent supporters of La Salle’s strong liberal arts education and its Lasallian teaching charism, De La Salle Reception guests enjoyed the opportunity to speak with President Hanycz about her continued commitment to the mission of St. John Baptist de La Salle and to offer their well wishes for her Presidency.

Local and Campus Community Gather for Symposium

Hosted on Monday, Oct. 5, “The City as a Classroom: Lasallian Higher Education in Philadelphia” enabled faculty, staff, and neighbors to engage in open dialogue about the University’s impact on Philadelphia and the rich educational opportunities the city provides La Salle students.

Vice President for Mission Brother Ernest Miller, F.S.C., D.Min., M.A. ’95, moderated the panel discussion, which included Huntly Collins, M.A., assistant professor of communication, Frances Kinder, Ph.D., R.N., CPNP, assistant professor of nursing, TiRease Holmes, Director of Off-campus and Commuter Communities, and Marianne Gauss, ’75, MBA ’87, assistant professor of management and leadership.

“The panel discussion was a springboard that compelled and encouraged community members to attend other opportunities to engage with the University,” Holmes said. “It’s a beginning—it’s a good start and I look forward to more thoughtful conversation and interaction.”

Students Form Chevron to Commemorate Inauguration

More than 500 students gathered on McCarthy Field on Tuesday, Oct. 6, to show their Lasallian pride and celebrate President Hanycz’s Inauguration in a unique way. Wearing gold commemorative Inauguration T-shirts, the students formed a human chevron—the central element of La Salle’s logo.

A symbol of long and faithful service, the broken chevron has been used over the centuries by followers of St. John Baptist de La Salle to evoke his memory. La Salle’s shield and logo retain a single broken chevron to pay homage to the De La Salle family’s coat of arms, which portrays three such chevrons of gold on a field of blue.

Students also mingled with the President earlier in the day during dinner at Treetops Café and the Blue and Gold Dining Commons, in addition to coffee and conversation during the lunch hour at Connelly Library, where University Archives hosted a special exhibit about La Salle’s Presidential history.