FOX56 Salutes Positive People
Positive things are happening all the time in NEPA. FOX56 along with Chevy would like to say thank you by saluting the Positive People who are truly making a difference throughout NEPA.
For more information on Chevy visit online at www.chevytoday.com.
Sister Mary Reap
Sister Mary Reap has been president of Marywood University since 1988. She has recently announced her retirement effective 2007. Her presidency will be remembered as a turning point in the modern history of Marywood. For that FOX56 salutes Sister mary Reap as on of the Positive People for NEPA.
Marywood University President Sister Mary Reap retires
Mr. Michael Insalaco, chairman of the Marywood University Board of Trustees, has announced the retirement of Sister Mary Reap, I.H.M., Ph.D., from the position of president of the University, effective summer 2007. In making the announcement to the University's trustees, faculty, students and administrators, Chairman Insalaco praised Sister Mary for her "leadership, courage, and commitment to the Marywood University mission over the 18 years of her presidency." Mr. Insalaco said that the Executive Committee of the University's Board of Trustees will coordinate the process for the selection of Sister Mary's successor.
Sister Mary has been President of Marywood University since 1988.
"Sister Mary has provided the vision and leadership that has transformed Marywood from a previously all-female, liberal arts college to a co-educational university with a comprehensive offering of educational opportunities," Mr. Insalaco said. "This is a remarkable accomplishment in such a relatively brief period of time. Sister Mary's presidency will be remembered as a turning point in the modern history of Marywood. Her work here has prepared Marywood University to meet the expectations and serve the educational needs of many generations of students to come."
Sister Mary is the tenth president in the 91-year history of the institution. Founded in 1915 by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Marywood was the first Catholic women's college in Pennsylvania. The college became a university in 1997 and was restructured into four colleges under "university" status in 2003. Today, the university enrolls more than 3,200 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students, and over 8,000 continuing education students annually. There are more than 28,000 Marywood alumni.
A native of Archbald, PA, and raised in Binghamton, NY, Sister Mary was called to her vocation in her third year as a student at Marywood College, joining the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1961. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from Marywood in 1965 and a Master of Arts degree in Spanish from Assumption College in 1972. She returned to her alma mater as a faculty member in 1973 and later held positions as the Dean of the Undergraduate School for Women, Chair of the Education Department and Graduate Department of Education, Director of the Off-Campus Degree Program, and Director of International Students. In 1979, she earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from The Pennsylvania State University.
During Sister Mary's presidency, Marywood established many new undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs, including majors in Physician's Assistant, Art Therapy, Aviation Management, Biotechnology, Information Sciences, and Sports Nutrition and Exercise Science.
During this period, Marywood emerged as the leading provider of graduate education in Northeast Pennsylvania and the first regional institution offering doctoral degree programs. As Marywood expanded its co-educational base, the University's athletics program grew from three varsity sports to 12 and has emerged as a national leader for academic excellence among its student athletes. According to USA Today, Marywood has ranked in the top five nationally among NCAA Division III schools for its graduation rate among student athletes for the past four years.
In 1997, Sister Mary led the transformation of Marywood from a college to a university. In 2003, that process was manifested in the restructuring of the University into four Colleges: the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Education and Human Development, the College of Health and Human Services, and the College of Creative Arts and Management. The College of Creative Arts and Management is among the first of its kind in the nation, recognizing the emerging trend of blending business and art in the development of educational and career opportunities.
According to Vice President of Academic Affairs, Sister Patricia Matthews, I.H.M., Ph.D., Sister Mary's achievements "collectively represent a milestone in the University's long history. During Sister Mary's presidency, the University became a leader academically, and our campus emerged as a state-of-the-art learning environment. But Sister Mary's leadership is best realized," Sister Patricia said, "in the vision she has had for this institution - a vision of a premier Catholic institution. She chose daily to take actions to meet her goals for Marywood and sought the resources to turn dreams into reality. She demanded of her Cabinet action that would lead to agreed upon benchmarks to constantly improve the institution. She believed in Marywood's possibilities," Sister Patricia continued, "and it is amazing how so many of those possibilities have become reality, such as our Day Care Center, our world-class Human Performance Lab, our involvement in sponsored research and our more diverse campus. Sister Mary's work here exemplifies the mission and the values of Marywood University, particularly her devotion to our Catholicity and to global education. She committed herself to the work of the presidency tirelessly and all at Marywood-students, faculty, and staff-have been the beneficiaries."
Under Sister Mary, financial commitments to the University from alumni, trustees and the community have increased substantially. The University successfully completed its first comprehensive campaign in 2002 by realizing $58 Million in donations on a $55 Million goal. Since 1998, alumni gifts have increased by 259 percent and commitments from trustees increased by 700 percent.
During Sister Mary's tenure as President, the Marywood campus expanded dramatically with the construction of six new multi-million dollar campus facilities to complement the University's rapidly developing academic and research programs. These new facilities include the Tony Domiano Early Childhood Center, the Fricchione Day Care Center, the William G. McGowan Center for Graduate and Professional Studies, the Michael and Dolores Insalaco Center for Studio Arts, the Keith J. O'Neill Center for Healthy Families, and the new $15 Million Robert J. Mellow Center for Athletics and Wellness, opening this fall. In addition, Sister Mary oversaw the renovation of existing facilities, including The Sette La Verghetta Center for the Performing Arts, the Center for Natural and Health Sciences, the Nazareth Student Center, Regina Hall, and the conversion of the former Marian Convent into Loughran Hall, opening this fall. Loughran Hall will house a 325-bed student residence facility, as well as a University Conference Center, and the Center for Spiritual Life, including a new University Chapel.
Sister Mary is also President of the Middle States Association, the organization of colleges and secondary schools recognized as the regional accrediting body for educational institutions in six states, U.S. territories, and other institutions abroad.
During her time as president, Sister Mary served on numerous local, state, and national boards. She is currently a director of the Northeast Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Universities, serves on the board of Moses Taylor Hospital, and serves as a member of the Presidents and Bishops Education Committee for the United States Conference of Bishops.
Additionally, Sister Mary has received many regional recognitions and awards, including honorary doctorates from DeSales University and the University of Scranton, the St. Ignatius Award from Scranton Preparatory School, and the outstanding alumni award from the College of Education at The Pennsylvania State University.
In 2004, Sister Mary was recognized for her accomplishments in higher education when she was named "Outstanding Executive of the Year" by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, a Washington, D.C.-based international association of professionals who advance educational institutions.
Sister Mary Reap, I.H.M., Ph.D. is listed in the International Who's Who, the World's Who's Who of Women, and the Who's Who of American Women.
- Copyright © 2006 by Marywood University. All rights reserved.
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