A Message From the President
“ Get all the prayers you can for me – that I may get through this new business as well as I can .”
- Catherine McAuley , Founder of the Sisters of Mercy
I hope you and your loved ones have been healthy and well . You have been in my thoughts during this difficult year as we ’ ve confronted the harsh reality of the COVID-19 pandemic .
While the days ahead are still uncertain , I take comfort in how our GMercyU community has responded to this unprecedented challenge because I think it speaks volumes about who we are as a community .
The teamwork , dedication , creative thinking , can-do attitudes … everyone has been working harder than ever , but with grace , with patience , and with a much-needed sense of humor . I believe our Mercy mindsets have helped us stay connected and positive this year , and I have never been more grateful for this community .
As you ’ ll see in the pages of this magazine , we made a quick switch to virtual learning in the spring , reimagined events such as our annual University Research Conference , and found joy in celebrating the Class of 2020 this summer in very unanticipated ways . We welcomed students back to campus this fall with a thoughtful hybrid approach to learning , and we kept moving forward as a University , launching new programs such as a bachelor ’ s and master ’ s in Public Health and a new Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning concentration in the Computer Information Science program .
In this issue , we ’ re also celebrating stories of our Distinctive Mercy Graduates who have worked on the front lines of the pandemic . I am truly inspired by your dedication and Mercy spirit . Whether you ’ re a nurse , police officer , teacher , parent , respiratory therapist , care taker , business leader , lab researcher , social worker , counselor , or other compassionate care professional , you put the Mercy in GMercyU .
Many of you have supported our Griffin Heroes Fund , helping to offset the costs associated with a rapid shift to a hybrid learning environment . This fund has helped our students to continue to pursue their goals and dreams without interruption on their path to becoming the next generation of Griffin Heroes . We sincerely thank you for supporting them in this way .
I can imagine that you ’ ve thought or spoken similar words at some point this year . We are all continuing to pray , and please know that many are praying for us as they support us in this difficult time .
I wish you strength in meeting the challenges that you may face as we all make the many adjustments required to transition to our new normal . Above all , I pray for your good health .
Stay strong and soar like a Griffin !
Deanne H . D ’ Emilio , JD President