It is both an honor and joy to celebrate Black History Month this year as President of Felician University , an institution and community whose values are — and have been since its beginning — committed to the ideals that underpin our shared humanity . In our Felician classrooms and community life , we esteem and strive to express this sense of our shared humanity to all we encounter through embracing the Franciscan Felician core values : Respect for Humanity , Compassion , Transformation , Solidarity with those in Need , and Justice and Peace .
To some , these may seem to be merely lofty goals , but for the Felician University community , this is our work — this is where we live ! Justice , Diversity , Equity , and Inclusion are embedded in these core values and dictate our daily course . We are each unfinished vessels simply trying to become more complete every day , endeavoring to follow these core values as our North Star .
Our collective goal is to bring all the members of our university community of diverse race , gender , orientation , ethnicity , and age into a harmonious symphony , blending these varied notes into a perfect melodious arrangement and sharing this music with the broader community .
We are very proud that Felician University sits in the top 15 % of all U . S . universities in racial and ethnic diversity , and is considered well above average in overall diversity .* This wonderful mix of a culturally rich community does not happen by accident . Here on campus , we seek to “ Elevate the Arc of Every Life ” in practical ways and reach out beyond our campus to the community at large .
Our graduates depart Felician as entry-level professionals in the fields of business , health , education , science , the arts , and many other specialties — carrying with them the values , skills , and depth of character which are the bedrock of their learning at Felician University , each prepared to have an immediate positive impact wherever they are .
James W . Crawford III Vice Admiral , JAGC , U . S . Navy ( ret .) President , Felician University
Changing the world ... ... one graduate at a time .
It will be one of the great honors of my life to be formally inaugurated as the sixth President of this exceptional University during the week of April 25th .
The responsibility is humbling . The challenge , stimulating . The future , unbounded !
* Diversity and Equity Campus Climate Survey , Higher Education Data Sharing Consortium , 2021
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THE FRANCISCAN UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY
One Felician Way | Rutherford , NJ 07070 262 South Main Street | Lodi , NJ 07644 201-355-1432 www . felician . edu