Immaculata University to install new president

On Oct. 27, Barbara Lettiere will become the first lay president to lead Immaculata University.

MALVERN » On Friday, Oct. 27, the first lay president of Immaculata University, Barbara Lettiere will become the 10th president to lead Immaculata University. She is a 1972 Immaculata graduate.

The day’s events begin with a Eucharist Liturgy at 1 p.m. at the Villa Maria House of Studies chapel. Bishop Michael J. Fitzgerald, Vicar for Catholic Education for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, will be the main celebrant. The Installation Ceremony begins at 3:30 p.m. in Alumnae Hall Theater followed by a celebratory reception in the Great Hall (on the campus of Immaculata University).

“President Lettiere wishes the inauguration to focus on the students and to have a joyful celebration with the entire campus community,” said Sister Mary Henrich, IHM, vice president for Mission and Ministry who coordinated the inauguration events.

Focusing on a campus-wide celebration that emphasizes the students, a simpler celebration is planned. Modifying the pomp and circumstance of a traditional university Inauguration allows Immaculata to offer the 2017 Inaugural Scholarship which will sustain the celebration and keep the focus on the students moving forward. The $15,000 scholarship will help students remove a financial barrier to pursing their education at Immaculata. Criteria for the scholarship are that the students be a resident of New Jersey, where President Lettiere was born and raised, and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. For more information on the 2017 Inaugural Scholarship, email finaid@immaculata.edu or call the Financial Aid Office at 610-647-4400 ext. 3028.

“My top priority is the students of Immaculata University. I am very pleased that by maintaining simplicity in the inauguration planning we can provide opportunities for worthy high school students in New Jersey, my home state,” Lettiere states. “I am honored to offer the 2017 Inaugural Scholarship and eager to meet the first recipient.”

Prior to taking the helm at Immaculata, Lettiere served as vice president for Finance and Administration at Trinity Washington University for 15 years. She spent most of the early years of her professional career at Bell Atlantic Corporation holding various positions within the operations, marketing and finance sectors. In 1992, she became vice president/ treasurer at Bell Atlantic before assuming the presidency of Bell Atlantic Federal Systems for five years where she helped secure the largest government contract ever

awarded to Bell Atlantic. After earning a bachelor’s

degree in mathematics from Immaculata, Lettiere continued her education earning a master of arts degree in economics and statistics from the University of Notre Dame

and an MBA in decision sciences and finance from Rider University. She is also a member of the National Association of College and University Business Officers.

Barbara Lettiere