Keiss Library 2021-2022 | Page 2

Unveiling of Presidential Portraits

“ It was the year 1948 ,” Sister Mary Gregory Campbell wrote , “ and I was assigned on August 6 , to open our Junior College in Gwynedd Valley . It was the greatest challenge of my life .”
Sister Gregory accepted the challenge and along with five other remarkable leaders , transformed a small junior college ( 28 women enrolled in the first year ) into a world-class university educating thousands .
Bevilacqua , Kathleen Owens and Deanne D ’ Emilio . Keiss Library unveiled a gallery of all six presidential portraits in the lobby , along with a display from the archives about their extraordinary achievements .
President D ’ Emilio spoke at the blessing and reminded us all of the courage , vision and , most importantly , faith these women had in building Gwynedd Mercy . They are traits shared by President D ’ Emilio as she pilots the University ’ s growth into the future .
On September 22 , 2021 , the Gwynedd Mercy community celebrated those leaders , the presidents of Gwynedd Mercy University -- Mother Mary Bernard , Sister Gregory , Sister Isabelle Keiss , Sister Linda