Sister Candace delivers her inaugural address
at the installation ceremony on April 8th.
On April 8, 2005, La Roche College opened a new chapter in its 42-year history with the inauguration of its seventh president, Sister Candace Introcaso, CDP, Ph.D. Members of the La Roche community gathered for the installation ceremony in the Kerr Fitness and Sports Center. Participants included: the Most Reverend Donald W. Wuerl, STD, bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh ; State Senator Jane Orie; Congresswoman Melissa Hart; and Dan Onorato, Allegheny County Chief Executive. Twenty-four colleges and universities sent delegates to the ceremony. Among the delegates were: Robert M. Smith, president of Slippery Rock University; and Edward A. Nicholson, president of Robert Morris University .
Peter Mulloney, chair of the La Roche College Board of Trustees, and Kathy Kozdemba, co-chair of the board, performed the ceremony of investiture. They presented President Introcaso with an official copy of the College's mission and the chain of office, a medallion fashioned by Lauren Lampe, associate professor of art in the Department of Graphic and Communication Design.
In her inaugural address, President Introcaso referenced the theme for the inauguration - "To Light Through Love," which is the English translation of the College's motto, "Ad Lucem Per Amorem."
"La Roche College stands at the threshold, ready to identify ways in which it might continue the mission to seek knowledge in the context of faith and culture. It is what makes us distinctive. It is what helps us to make a difference," said Introcaso in her address to those gathered. "As president, I promise to lead the efforts now and into the future that will determine what new bold statements La Roche will make. I commit myself to work tirelessly for the fulfillment of this mission."
Introcaso noted that since the College was founded, it had transformed into a global community of learners with students from around the world. At the same time, she pledged to strengthen the already strong ties the College has forged with the local area.
"Our students, and perhaps more significantly, our graduates continue to make an impact on the greater Pittsburgh community. In fact, 90 percent of our graduates live, work and make their homes in the region," said Introcaso. "Their commitment to the area is reflective of the College's fidelity to its founding commitment to providing educational opportunities to the people of southwestern Pennsylvania ."
On Saturday, April 9, the College community celebrated the inauguration of President Introcaso with a Presidential Inaugural Gala. The black-tie dinner was held at the Westin Convention Center hotel in Pittsburgh and included a silent auction. Funds from the dinner benefited the President's Fund for Excellence, which will support programs and initiatives of the highest priority identified by President Introcaso.
A member of the Sisters of Divine Providence, La Roche College's founding congregation, President Introcaso is also a former member of La Roche's Board of Trustees. Prior to her election as La Roche's seventh president, she served as vice president for planning and assessment at Barry University in Miami , FL. She began her career in higher education at La Roche College in the late 1980s, serving as both a faculty member and administrator. Introcaso received her Ph.D. in higher education administration from The Claremont Graduate University, where she also received the Hausam-Fisk Award for Excellence in Higher Education. She also holds an MA in sociology from Fordham University and a BA in psychology from Shippensburg University.
To read the entire text of
President Introcaso's inaugural address:
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