8/6/2019 The Merciad, Dec. 16, 2004

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MERCIADVol. 78 Special online edition Mercyhurst College 501 E. 38th St. Erie Pa. 16546 December 16, 2004

T h eTHE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MERCYHURST COLLEGE SINCE 1929

  After 42 years of ser vice to the Mercyhurstcommunity, President Dr. William P. Garvey an-nounced today that he plans to retire as presidentof Mercyhurst College after the winter term, ef-fective Feb. 25, 2005.

Garvey cited many reasons for his retirement,including “health concerns from the enormousstress” and feelings that Mercyhurst “requires apresident that is not preoccupied with the newspa-per accusations of the last few months,” according to a letter to the Board of Trustees.

“Most of all,” Garvey said, “because it is time.”Garvey made his announcement at the Mary 

D’Angelo Performing Arts Center at 3 p.m. to the30 members of the board, administration, faculty,staff and a few hundred students. Just a half hour before Garvey was scheduled to

speak, the student body was yet to be informed of the pending address.

Immediately following Garvey’s address, MSGPresident Mike Mancinelli declined comment onthe issue of informing students about the an-nouncement.

He later provided a timeline of MSG involvementon the day’s events. That timeline is published

below.During his speech, Garvey spoke about the stat e

of the college and its prospects for the future.“Mercyhurst is at its peak and it has never been

stronger than it is today,” he said.Garvey thanked members of the faculty and ad-

ministration, the Board of Trustees and the Sistersof Mercy who make the college motto real. He saidthat the retirement was entirely on his own andthat he had the wonderful support of the boardand the college.

Garvey said that in looking at the institution, theparamount question for him was at what point

 would the accusations in the news media becomea problem for the college.

“I don’t want to be a distraction from teaching and learning with this kind of stuff,” said Garvey.

He also said that it is the job of every generationto further what they have found.

“I hope that the future of Mercyhurst and thenext president will nd an institution where they can spend 42 years as I have,” he said.

Garvey thanked employees and students, say-ing, “Thank you for who you are and what you’vedone...Mercyhurst’s best days are still ahead in theyet undened Fourth Spring.”

He summed up his announcement with three words—“Long Live Mercyhurst.”

Since Garvey assumed the ofce of presidentin 1980, the college has seen rapid growth. Mer-cyhurst has an enrollment of more than 4,000

students, a budget of $75.8 million, 488 full-timeemployees, 58 buildings, an endowment of $20million and world-renowned programs. WhenGarvey assumed the presidency in 1980 the col-lege had 1,200 students, a dozen buildings and anendowment less than $90,000.

Garvey’s successor was not named. According to a news release, Marlene D. Mosco,

chair of the Mercyhurst Board of Trustees said thatthe Board approved a presidential transition plan in

 June 2004, and that William C. Sennett, immediatepast chair of the Mercyhurst Board of Trustees,has been named by the executive committee of theboard to head the presidential search team.

Mosco added that Sennett served on the 1979-1980 search team and is knowledgeable of thesteps ahead, as the college begins its leadershiptransformation.

“There are many wonderful things happening atMercyhurst,” Mosco explained in a news release.

“We have a vibrant faculty, a bright and enthusias-tic student body, and the support of the Erie com-munity for Mercyhurst has never been higher.

“Garvey’s successor will inherit an institution witha rich legacy that holds future promise waiting tobe tapped. A new chapter in Mercyhurst history isready to be written.”

Garvey’s plans for the future include rest, somepart-time teaching, and completing a history of Erie since World War II.

Garvey announces retirement

Katie McAdams/Photo editor 

Dr.William P. Garvey announces his retire-

ment Thursday at the Mary D’Angelo Per-

forming Arts Center 

Students react to Garvey retirement as president 

Following Dr. Garvey’s resignation announcement on Thursday afternoon weasked several Mercyhurst students the following question: What are your feel-ings on Dr. Garvey’s recent retirement and its effect on the Mercyhurst Com-munity?

“Allegations such as those leveled against Dr. Garvey make his resignation theonly option which will allow him to retain any honor from his position; whetheror not he did anything.”

Charlie Jeanewine, sophomore Archaeology major

“I think everyone is just a little shocked right now. The Mercyhurst Community is going to need time to adjust to the changes that are going to happen.”

Christina Bacchetti, senior Marriage and Family Studies major

“Regardless of his guilt or innocence the recent resignation makes him comeacross as guilty. However, none of the accusations can take away from the goodthings he has done for this college.”

 Amelia Leone, junior Interior Design major

“I feel that the college will not be the same without him, he is a great leader who has done great things for the college and the community.”

Emily Abernathy, junior Interior Design major

 “Dr. Garvey’s decision to resign deeply affects the whole Mercyhurst community 

and I think it is most important that we stand by one another and Dr. Garvey,because he has done so much for our college.”

Colleen Reiner, senior Graphic Design major

“This is a tremendous loss to the college; Dr. Garvey has done so much forMercyhurst and the Erie community. Hopefully in the long run the Mercyhurstcommunity can band together and deal with the situation.”

Katie Walker, senior Communication major

By Kelly Rose DuttineEditor-in-Chief and Josh West

Contributing writer

Occupation: Educator, historian,civic leader, president of MercyhurstCollege.

Born: (Dec. 9, l935) Oil City, Pa., sonof the late Dorothy Hoke Garvey fromMeadville and the late John WilliamGarvey.

Education:

Bachelor of Arts degree, history andEnglish, Gannon University 

Master of Science, history, University of Pittsburgh

Ph.D., history, University of Pitts-burgh

 Affiliated with Mercyhurst Collegesince 1962:• Professor of history • Chair of the education depart-

ment;• Chair of the social science depart-

ment;• Director of student teaching;• Director of career placement;• 1969-1976 Vice president of aca-

demic affairs and dean of the college;• 1976-1955 Director of administra-

tion for Erie County Government (onone-year sabbatical from Mercyhurst;• 1978 Director of Mercyhurst Col-

lege rst graduate program in Criminal

 Justice;•   July 1980 named ninth president

of Mercyhurst College by Board of  Trustees.

Founder:

Old Fashioned Fourth of July Cel-ebration

D’Angelo Young Artist Competition  James V. Kinnane Award for Out-

standing Contributions to Justice. Accomplishments during his presi-

dency:

• College experienced unprecedentedphysical growth and developed pro-grams of regional and national recogni-tion;

• College has invested more than $40million in new construction, renovationsand program enhancements;• 75 percent of the Mercyhurst main

campus has been built in the past decade,resulting in dramatic changes to the faceof the campus;• Increased the college endowment

from approximately $100,000 in 1980 tomore than $20 million in 2004;• Oversaw three capital campaigns,

the most recent concluding in fall 2004,raising $22.5 million;.• Grew the student body from 1,200

in 1980 to 4,000 in 2004;• Established a branch campus in

North East on 84 acres where two-yearprograms are offered;• For the past eight years Mercyhurst

has been listed in U.S. News and WorldReport's "Guide to America's Best Col-leges" as one of the top 20 regionalliberal arts colleges in the North, withits current ranking being #12;• In 2004 Mercyhurst was named in

the regional edition of the PrincetonReview as one of “The Best Northeast-ern Colleges;”• Attracted the prestigious Governor

School of the Arts to Mercyhurst forthe past 14 summers;• Established ve graduate programs:

 Administration of Justice, Special Edu-

cation, Organizational Leadership, Ap-plied Intelligence, Forensic Science;Construction:Oversaw 25 construction projects on

the main and North East campus:• Audrey Hirt Academic Center• Carolyn Herrmann Student Union• Mary D'Angelo Performing Arts

Center• D'Angelo School of Music• Mercyhurst Ice Center• Maura Smith Learning Center (now 

the Family and Consumer Science An-nex)• Mercyhurst Bookstore.• Sullivan Hall

•Catherine McAuley Adult EducationCenter and Intelligence Complex• Albert F. Duval Apartments• Frances Warde Townhouses• Student Rec Center• Maintenance Building • Two Astroturf elds• Tullio Field• Crew tanks• WMCE Radio Studio• Health and Public Safety Building at

Mercyhurst North East• Eight Townhouses at Mercyhurst

North East•

  Third floor of Preston Hall for Walker School of Business• Fourth oor of Hammermill Li-

brary • Catherine Walker Reading Room•  Walker Wing in Hammermill Li-

brary • Fitness Center of Rec Center• Grotto Dining Room

 Acquisitions:

• 60-acre campus on East 38th Streetfrom the Sisters of Mercy-Erie RegionalCommunity;• 84-acre campus in North East, from

the Redemptorist Fathers, former 100-year old Redemptorist Seminary now Mercyhurst North East;• 24 Baldwin Garden Apartment

Buildings on Briggs and Lewis Av-

enues;• 12 houses on Parade Boulevard. and

two on East 38th Street;• 4.2 acres at East 35th and Wallace

Streets;• Option on Divine Word Seminary 

property in Girard for proposed Mer-cyhurst West campus. Awards:

• Distinguished Pennsylvanian by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce;• Gannon University's William Penn

Society;• Liberty Bell Award from the Erie

County Bar Association;

Mercyhurst students will not forget thecontributions of President Dr.WilliamGarvey to the college, nor will they for-get his dream, according to MercyhurstStudent Government President MichaelMancinelli. At a news conference Thursday after-

noon at the Mary D’Angelo Performing   Arts Center, Mancinelli explained thehardship on the college community.

“The retirement of Dr. Garvey is a very sad time for us all, but it is also atime of healing for the college commu-nity,” he said.

“Dr. Garvey had a great deal of re-spect from students,” Director of PublicRelations Gennifer Biggs said at thenews conference.

“There were very few dry eyes in theaudience.”

“Obvious stress has taken a toll on

his health,” Biggs said. “He was plan-ning on retiring in the next year or soanyway.”

Mancinelli said that even thoughGarvey’s retirement will severely affectthe campus, students will never forget

 what he has done for Mercyhurst.“Students will not forget the dreams

Dr. Garvey had for this institution. We,the students, will continue not only inour pursuits of academic excellence but

  we will also strive to keep the dream

of what Mercyhurst is and to becomealive,” said Mancinelli.

Dr. David Livingston, President of the Faculty Senate, explained with sin-cerity the situation and the role of thecollege. “We go into the classroom andoffer a great education,” said Livingston.“That’s our job.” As for the vacancy of the position of 

president, Livingston said he was notsure who will take the position.

“An announcement about the searchprocess will be posted and was discussedduring the board meeting today.”

Garvey, however, will not formally relinquish his position until the end of the winter term on Feb. 23, 2005.  The current investigation into the

40-year-old accusations made by Chuck Rosenthal in his book “Never Let MeGo” still continues.

“To the best of my knowledge (theinvestigation) is still pending,” saidLivingston.

“We are concerned about any victims

that may have been involved. Theseallegations are serious.” According to Mancinelli, the Student

Government will aid in the process of healing the community.

“We welcome any comments, con-cerns, and questions that students may have,” he said.

“We want students to know that weare here to serve them, and we will

 work diligently to answer any issues thestudent may have.”

By Joshua WilwohlLayout assistant

Students won’t forgetGarvey’s contribution

File photo

Mercyhurst College President Dr. William P. Garvey.

Dr. Garvey career highlights

Mercyhurst Student Government of-cers Thursday evening released thistimeline of the day’s events.

MSG met with some criticism fromstudents who did not receive notice of Garvey’s retirement announcement atthe Mary D’Angelo Performing ArtsCenter.

9:30 a.m. – MSG President MikeMancinelli was in the AdministrativePolicies Committee meeting until ap-proximately 10:15.

9:46 a.m.   – The MSG ExecutiveBoard is e-mailed regarding Garvey’saddress by Gennifer Biggs, Director of Public Relations at Mercyhurst.

10:00 a.m. – Biggs noties The Ofce

of Academic Affairs that the address at3 p.m. is open to all students.

10:15 a.m. – An e-mail is sent out toall the RAs on campus from Biggs, let-ting them know that their residents are

  welcomed to attend the address laterthat afternoon.

10:45 a.m. – Mancinelli finds outabout the news of President Garvey’saddress occurring later that day, imme-diately phones MSG Advisor Darcey Kemp. Kemp immediately calls the restof the MSG Executive Board, making sure they knew that President Garvey 

 will be addressing the college commu-nity at 3:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m. – Board of Trustees Meet-

ing begins, soon after it commences,Dr. Garvey announces his retirement tothe Trustees, and a 10-15 minute break is given. During the break, Mancinelliphones Kemp again, advising her of thestatement he is preparing for the press.He asked Kemp to continue to reachother MSG Executive Board members.

12:12 p.m. – The rst Exec Boardmember, Ryan Palm, receives word of the address later that afternoon and im-mediately emails the announcement of the address, still unaware of the futureoutcome, to the members of the MSGbody, urging them to let fellow studentsknow as well.

12:30 p.m. – Board of Trustees

breaks for lunch. Also at this time,Laura Hearn is the second member of the MSG Board to learn of the state-ment to be made. Dan Schuler, MSG

 Treasurer, speaks with Kemp regarding the statement.

12:30-1:30 p.m. – Mancinelli com-pletes statement for the media, plans onaddressing reporters at 4:00 p.m.

2:15 p.m. – Meghan Morse, VicePresident of MSG, nds out of theplanned address.

2:50 p.m.   – Student body e-mailedby Biggs, email contains statement by Dr. Garvey to the Board of Trustees,and also the press release sent out by the Public Relations Ofce. It is also at

this time that the news media is ofcially made aware of the address. The state-ments are also posted both on LakerNetand also on the Web site.

3:10 p.m.  – President Garvey formally announces to Mercyhurst community his retirement.

3:40 p.m. – Board of Trustees reportback to their meeting and resume nor-mal business.

3:50 p.m.  – Mancinelli leaves Boardmeeting with Biggs and Dr. David Liv-ingston, President of Faculty Senate, tohead to PAC for interviews.

4:10 p.m.  – Mancinelli, along withBiggs and Livingston, gives statementto the press.

Mercyhurst Student Government gives day’s timeline