Inauguration of Fitzgerald caps off week of celebratory events

Events marking Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D., officially being installed as eighth president include return of the sound of bells to campus

By Jon Fassnacht

The inauguration of Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D., as Alvernia's eighth president represented a ringing in of the new while paying homage to the university's roots.

Fitzgerald's ascension following four years as senior vice president and provost returned Alvernia to its initial status as a woman-led university. Its first three presidents were members of the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters, the university's foundresses.

Fitzgerald was officially installed as the first female lay president in Alvernia's history during an inauguration ceremony on April 12 at the university's Physical Education Center. More than 300 attended the event, including elected officials, college officials, Alvernia students, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni and personal friends.

Fitzgerald was introduced by graduate school classmate Marya L. Doerfel, Ph.D., professor of communications and chair of communication at Rutgers University.

"Standing here reflecting on the person I knew then and who I know now, it is clear to me that her character, her ability to translate across worlds, her dedication to the service of others, and her fundamental knowledge about communication and relationships is … exactly why we're here today," she said.

During her presidential address, Fitzgerald outlined her reasons for optimism for Alvernia's future. They included the university's history of service and innovation, the campus locations and communities it serves, its ever-evolving culture of care and commitment to student success, and its deepening strategic partnership network.

"As President, I intend to foster an atmosphere where we facilitate conversations with our community partners in determining how to approach problems together, asking the right questions to flesh out the relevant issues to be addressed, nd furthering the deep work in the community with partners already active in these spaces," Fitzgerald said. "So, as I accept the honor and responsibility of being inaugurated as Alvernia's eighth President, I invite you to be my partners, to be Alvernia's partners, as we undertake that work. …

"We have serious work to do, but as we do it, I believe it's important that we find ways to be joyful. I look forward to seeing many smiles and to hearing much laughter from all of you in the months and years to come."

Other speakers at the event included Pennsylvania State Sen. Judith L. Schwank; Berks County Commissioner Michael S. Rivera; English Bradley '26, chief of staff to Reading Mayor Eddie Moran; Kevin Godfrey, Ph.D., professor of theology and Faculty Council president; Lynn N. Gano, director of creative services and Staff Senate chair; and Sara Baker, president of the Alvernia Student Government Association, among others.

Chiming In

Before ringing in the new, Fitzgerald helped to ring in the old, bringing the sounds of bells back to Alvernia for the first time in decades. On April 6, marking a private Mass and dinner where the Sisters commissioned Fitzgerald as president of the university they founded, new chimes rang out from the Motherhouse bell tower thanks to a generous donation from the new President.

"It's a gift for the Sisters to bring back something that meant so much to them," Fitzgerald said. "I'm also keen on beginning a couple of meaningful touchpoints, traditions that will engage students while they are here and give them something to return to."

The history of chimes on campus reaches back to the end of the 19th century, when the Sisters purchased a bell engraved with the name Sancta Marie. Installed in the bell tower of the newly completed Motherhouse in 1905, it called Sisters to prayer for six decades. In the late 1960s, it was replaced by a carillon - an instrument featuring rows of bells played with a keyboard. Silent for many years as the number of organists who could play its keyboard diminished, the carillon was removed in 2003 when the Motherhouse was renovated.

The sounds of bells aren't the only things coming back this year; the Sancta Marie will also return to prominence.

Removed from the Motherhouse's cupola in March to be refurbished, the long-retired bell was placed on permanent display in the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters Heritage Center in October to honor the congregation's 130th anniversary.

"Thank you, Dr. Glynis Fitzgerald, for the gift of the sonorous bell chimes that daily make our hearts sing!" said Sister John Ann Proach, Congregational Minister.

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