aLvErnia nEws Switch in Senior Leadership at Alvernia

Sarah Mies Managing Editor

On Thursday February

2nd, Alvernia students learned there will be a shift in senior leadership at the university. President John R. Loyack will be stepping down as President and President-Elect Dr. Glynis Fitzgerald will take over his responsibilities. “I have so enjoyed the opportunity to lead this great university and campus community,” President Loyack said, “And I could not be prouder of the transformational progress we made together over the past four years.” President-Elect Dr. Fitzgerald worked alongside President Loyack since June of 2019. Together they built the CollegeTowne initiative and welcomed the three biggest incoming classes Alvernia has ever seen. Loyack has begun planning for new locations in

Philadelphia and Pittston, where he is originally from. Education is extremely important to both Loyack and Dr. Fitzgerald. Loyack himself was a firstgeneration college student and he prides himself on prioritizing education. He worked hard to make his mark at Alvernia University over his past few years.

Prior to his time at Alvernia University, Loyack was the Vice President for Business and Administratio at King’s College. He has also worked at Wyoming

Seminary in Kingston, PA, The Luzerne Foundation in Wilkes-Barre, PA, and The Greater Pittston Historical Society. Loyack will remain CEO of Alvernia University and continue working closely with PresidentElect Dr. Fitzgerald.

In June of 2021, Loyack was contracted to remain in the Presidency until 2027. But now, less than 2 years later, he will no longer be holding this position. As many students were aware, PresidentElect Dr. Fitzgerald was supposed to be leaving Alvernia to be President of The College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Nebraska. “As thrilled as I was about assuming the presidency at CSM, the unexpected opportunity to lead Alvernia as president is one I cannot turn down,” Dr. Fitzgerald said. The College of Saint Mary has reopened applications for the presidency.

Dr. Fitzgerald has over 20 years of higher education experience. She has worked as the associate vice president of Academic Affairs and dean of the School of Graduate Studies at Central Connecticut State University. She is now ready to take the next step and become the first female president of Alvernia in over 30 years. She is currently serving as president-elect and will be formally inaugurated on July 1st.

Students are excited about this switch. “I am grateful of all that President Loyack has done for the Alvernia community,” said Olivia Blockberger, junior Occupational Therapy Major, “However, I am ready to have strong female leadership take over our school.”

Alvernia is now in search of a new provost to take over the responsibilities of Dr. Fitzgerald.