Gabrielle Hendricks
Mount St. Mary’s University has turned a page to a brand new chapter this fall semester. Twenty-seventh President, Gerard “Jerry” Joyce started his presidency at the Mount over the summer. Joyce wants the University community to be familiar with him, as he will be an integral part of it for the coming years.
Joyce’s beginnings are humble and quite local. He is a Philadelphia native, as are many students and other community members at the University, as it is on the border of Maryland and Pennsylvania. He is also well acquainted with the Catholic education system and Church. He attended St. Nicholas of Tolentine church and was very involved in the Catholic community through his parish.
Joyce went on to attend St. John Neumann Catholic High School in Philadelphia back when it was an all-boy’s school. His upbringing and school life being so deeply intertwined with Catholicism and service to others shaped his personality and beliefs. He says one of the most pivotal moments in his life, especially work ethics wise, was getting his first job at the age of 14 at Veteran Stadium, where he worked closely with the Philadelphia Eagles. He says this job opportunity developed his work ethic and love for sports. His love for sports also has led him to admire the athletics at the Mount, and he has already attended some of his first sports games here.
Joyce started his undergraduate career as a finance major and earned his bachelor’s in finance. Joyce can relate to many students at the Mount who are involved in leadership on campus. He was an RA and class president. He states, “Outside of the classroom experience and being involved really ignited the fi re within in me to pursue a career in higher education.” Joyce pursued his career in higher education, as he earned his Ph.D. in Education and Policy Studies. He later went to work as the Vice President of DeSales University for 33 years. Now he is here as President of the Mount.
Joyce has come a long way since his childhood and college days. He has experience with education through his career and through raising his five children. He understands the investment that college is for students and their families.
He wants to make that investment possible for families. He talks of investing into an endowment that will provide scholarships and grants for students. “My plan is to grow that endowment, so we have more funds for students so that we lessen the burden on families.” As someone who has raised $40 million in scholarships and grants at his previous institution and has a background in finance, Joyce is sure to bring this plan into fruition.
Joyce not only cares about the affordability of college, but also the development and community it provides. When talking about Mount students, he remarks, “They should be productive members of society by having exposure to the liberal arts core curriculum. I think they [the core classes] contribute to the whole of the person. I think that is a real important feature of a private, liberal arts, Catholic education.”
Joyce also addresses concerns of belonging on campus. When asked about his past stance on LGBT clubs on Catholic campuses, he gave insightful and thoughtful words about their place at the Mount. He says, “Just as I believe that we as a Catholic Liberal Arts institution that subscribes to the teachings of the Catholic Church, it is just as important to me that everyone is welcome here.” Joyce wants to support all students, regardless of their orientation, identity or religious backgrounds.
Joyce ended with sharing a story about his favorite Saint, Mother Teresa of Calcutta. He tells the story of how he missed the chance to meet Mother Teresa with his wife in 1995. He wishes that he could talk with her today. He admires her work, saying, “Her goodness towards humanity is something that we can all benefit from.”
Joyce received that goodness from the University community. He says, “The way I was welcomed and the way my family was welcomed was unbelievable.” The University can further welcome Joyce as he becomes cemented in the community.
Erika Ryan
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