Announcing the 22nd College President

At a welcoming ceremony on May 14, 2007 Francis G. Ziegler introduced Eugene J. Cornacchia as the 22nd President of Saint Peter's College.  At this event we were privileged to hear remarks from Rev. Gerald J. Chojnacki, S.J., Provincial, New York Society of Jesus, and a benediction from Rev. Edward J. Heavey, S.J., Rector of the Jesuit Community of Saint Peter's College.

Remarks of Dr. Eugene J. Cornacchia

Father Chojnacki, Father Heavey, Chairman Ziegler, members of the Board of Trustees and Regents, members of the Jesuit Community, the Alumni Board, faculty, staff, students, friends and family…. I thank you for being here today at this very busy time of year.

I am truly honored to have been selected the 22nd President of Saint Peter’s College. It is difficult to put into words what I am feeling now. I follow a man, a Jesuit, who was such a vivid presence on this campus for eleven years. Though my appointment represents a break with tradition, much will not change for I am a product of Jesuit education and I have spent 25 years here at Saint Peter’s in many different roles but always, always, committed to the noble mission of this College.

The Saint Peter’s College mission statement has remained consistent over time. That reflects our continuing commitment to the principles and values it espouses. It reads in part:

Saint Peter’s College, founded in 1872, is a Jesuit, Catholic, liberal arts college which seeks to develop the whole person in preparation for a lifetime of learning, leadership and service in a diverse and global society. Committed to academic excellence and individual attention, Saint Peter's College provides education, informed by values, to students from a variety of backgrounds.

At the heart of Jesuit education--a Saint Peter’s education—are principles and values that Saint Ignatius Loyola set out nearly 500 years ago. It is built on:

• A world-affirming and global perspective
• A commitment to religious faith and to Christ
• Care and concern for each person
• The rigorous pursuit of truth and academic excellence
• Knowledge joined to virtue
• Forming men and women for others
• “Seeing God in all Things”

These values endure not because of who the president is but because they are alive in all of us—they animate how we approach our work, our relationships with each other, and our faith. Saint Peter’s has been, is and will always remain a Jesuit and Catholic college because of all of you.

My goals for Saint Peter’s College are simple in concept but will require a partnership among all of us to achieve:

• A growing reputation for academic excellence and innovation.
• Higher student success particularly as seen in greater persistence and graduation rates.
• A high quality faculty that is provided adequate support to engage in scholarship, and that is appropriately compensated and respected.
• A dedicated, professional, appreciated, and justly compensated staff.
• A vibrant and exciting student life program, including a competitive Division I athletic program.
• An active spiritual life that embraces all members of the College community.
• A top-notch technology infrastructure that supports learning, teaching, research and administration.
• A successful, accomplished and engaged alumni.
• Quality, safe, environmentally responsible, and well-managed campus facilities, including a new Campus Center.
• A campus-wide commitment to social justice.
• Sufficient budgetary resources to make this vision a reality.
• All of these can only be accomplished with all stakeholders having a voice in the governance and direction of the institution.

In conclusion, I quote David McCullough, the historian: “Real success is finding your lifework in the work that you love.”

However, I observe: Real success is also finding your lifework in the place that you love among the people whom you love.  Thank you.