ACADEMIC
CONVOCATION
“ America
needs
Griffins. ”
– Judge Cardwell Hughes
G
wynedd Mercy University marked the beginning of the school year with its
Academic Convocation on September 26, 2018. The day began with mass
in celebration of Mercy Week, an annual tradition that honors GMercyU’s
Mercy heritage.
This year’s Convocation Speaker was Judge Renee Cardwell
Hughes, retired CEO of the American Red Cross Eastern
Pennsylvania Region and first African-American woman to
hold the position. Prior to joining the American Red Cross,
Judge Cardwell Hughes served as a trial judge in the Court
of Common Pleas, the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania.
There, she completed a 10-year full-term and was re-elected
in 2005 to a second full term, which she served until 2011.
All of you chose
“ Gwynedd
Mercy
University because
you share a desire
to live meaningful
lives in a global
society. Your values
distinguish you,
integrity, respect,
and a desire for
social justice.
”
Judge Cardwell
Hughes addressed the
audience, comprised
of GMercyU students,
faculty, and staff, and
challenged them to
stand up for change
and be an advocate
for social justice.
She emphasized that
education, particularly
an education rooted
in Mercy values, is the
foundation for change.
you share a
desire to live
With this foundation,
meaningful
lives in a
you are called to lead.
global society.
America needs you and
Your values
America needs Griffins.
distinguish
you, integrity,
respect,
and a desire
for social justice,” Judge Cardwell Hughes said. “With this
foundation, you are called to lead. America needs you and
America needs Griffins.”
“
”
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice Patrick McGrain, PhD
gave remarks on behalf of the faculty and urged this year’s
incoming class to rely on their professors.
“These are the people that will do whatever it takes to help you
succeed. Use them, ask them, challenge them, question them,” Dr.
McGrain said. “Let them give you everything that they have. They
will be the teacher and mentor you need to succeed.”
“All of you chose
Gwynedd Mercy
University because
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
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