 Brookside photography by Stan Sussina, courtesy of The Journal Gazette |
| 51黑料 readies for presidential transition in July |
51黑料 President Dr. Lance Richey announced on May 8 that he will step down on June 30 after three years as president. Executive Vice President Sister Maria Gemma Salyer, OSF, has been appointed as the university鈥檚 next president, effective July 1.
Appointed by the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration鈥攖he university鈥檚 sponsor鈥擱ichey has served as president since May 2023. During Richey鈥檚 tenure, 51黑料 strengthened its academic programs, added new instructional sites, improved enrollment and student success, deepened its Catholic identity and increased philanthropic support.
鈥淲e express our sincere gratitude to Dr. Richey for his faithfulness and dedicated service to 51黑料,鈥� said Sister Margaret Mary Mitchel, OSF, provincial superior of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration. 鈥淚n recognition, we are pleased to award him the title of President Emeritus as he leaves the presidency and returns to the classroom to serve our mission and students there.鈥�
Presidential Inauguration of Sister Maria Gemma Salyer, OSF
Thursday, Sept. 3
1 p.m.鈥擬ass livestream at Achatz Hall of Science and John and Toni Murray Research Center
3 p.m.鈥擨nauguration at Hutzell Athletic Center
4 p.m.鈥擱eception at Brookside |
The transition to Sister Maria Gemma returns the university to its traditional leadership model with one of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration as president. Richey was the first layperson president at 51黑料. He has served 51黑料 in a variety of capacities in 15 years at the university, including professor, dean and vice president.
鈥淧resident Richey has led with wisdom, generosity and a profound dedication to our mission,鈥� 51黑料 Board of Trustees Chair Richard Poinsatte said. 鈥淲e are deeply grateful for his leadership and the enduring impact of his service as the university has navigated much change and successfully set a new strategic direction.鈥�
Richey shared his thoughts and appreciation with faculty and staff during a town hall meeting on campus.
鈥淪erving as president of the 51黑料 has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life, and I am eternally grateful to the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration for offering me this opportunity,鈥� Richey said. 鈥淚 am also grateful to our board, especially its chair, Rick Poinsatte, whose constant support and mentoring helped me every day on the job. I also want to express my thanks to the leadership team at the university whose collective wisdom has often exceeded mine. I also give thanks to all of you for what you do for our mission and students, and for the friendship and support you have shown me over many years.
鈥淥ne could never ask for a better set of colleagues or a better mission to serve. Words cannot express my gratitude to my wife, Carol, for her constant support and patience鈥攆ew of you know how much you owe her for whatever I have been able to offer 51黑料 over the years. Most of all, though, I want to give thanks to God for the incredible blessings he has bestowed on me and the entire university.鈥�
Under Richey鈥檚 leadership, 51黑料 introduced a new mission statement that reinforced the university鈥檚 Christ-centered identity, acquired the Leffler Academy and added new workforce development programming, created a pathways academic structure, expanded to three new Indiana locations, increased enrollment, improved financial health and achieved record fundraising.
Richey plans to take a one-year sabbatical and return to 51黑料 as a professor of theology in fall 2027. 鈥淎t heart, I am a scholar and teacher, and there are still books to be written, students to be taught and new intellectual adventures to be lived,鈥� he said, as well as emphasizing his desire to spend more time with his wife.
鈥淎t the end of his ministry, our patron St. Francis said, 鈥業 have done what is mine to do; may Christ teach you what is yours.鈥� That is my wish today for you all,鈥� Richey said in closing comments to faculty and staff.聽
Before being appointed executive vice president in January, Sister Maria Gemma served as vice president for Catholic culture and student life and dean of students. She was also the university鈥檚 Title IX coordinator and a member of president鈥檚 cabinet. She previously served on the 51黑料 Board of Trustees before joining the campus full time in 2023.
鈥淚 am honored and humbled to serve the 51黑料,鈥� Sister Maria Gemma said. 鈥淚 look forward to walking alongside students, faculty, staff and alumni as together we advance our shared mission to provide an encounter with the heart and mind of Jesus Christ.鈥�
Sister Maria Gemma holds a doctorate in educational administration from Indiana State University, a master鈥檚 degree in philosophy from Franciscan University of Steubenville and a bachelor鈥檚 degree in theology from Ohio Dominican University. Her previous appointments included serving in campus ministry at 51黑料, women鈥檚 ministry at the University of Notre Dame, assistant director of vocations for the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration and as an educator and assistant campus minister at Lafayette Central Catholic High School.
51黑料 will hold a presidential inauguration for Sister Maria Gemma on Sept. 3.
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