University planning to expand its campus

Purchases 154-acre adjacent property

LOWER GWYNEDD >> Gwynedd Mercy University has purchased a 154-acre property adjacent to its Sumneytown Pike campus. It includes 157,000 square feet of useable interior space.

The purchase will allow the university to nearly double its footprint — expanding to 314 acres.

Acquisition of the property, which was previously owned by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., was completed Dec. 4. Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

“We are absolutely thrilled that we were able to take advantage of such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase this prime piece of property,” Gwynedd Mercy University President Deanne D’Emilio, JD, said in a press release. “Some of our current facilities are bursting at the seams, and this new space will provide exciting opportunities to expand and enhance the educational programs available to new and continuing GMercyU students.”

The University plans to transform the property into a stateof-the-art facility that will enhance existing programs and support the introduction of new market-responsive programs, according to the release.

A spokeswoman said it’s too early in the process to discuss additional specific details, adding that next steps include the creation of a detailed development timeline as part of an overall campus master plan.

“As we celebrate our 70th year and the 175th anniversary of the Sisters of Mercy journey to America, we are excited by the many possibilities this venture presents to further differentiate the GMercyU brand as a Catholic university leader in professional and healthcare education,” D’Emilio added.

Kathleen Hunsicker, chairwoman of the Lower Gwynedd Township Board of Supervisors, congratulated the university on its “strategic investment.”

“This expansion will make it possible for our hometown university to bring an even larger group of students from throughout the Commonwealth and around the world to enjoy all that our community has to offer,” she said in the release.

The purchase of the property is part of a broader plan to build on the University’s reputation, “for preparing professionals who can successfully navigate a constantly changing world, and make that world a better place,”

“Some of our current facilities are bursting at the seams, and this new space will provide exciting opportunities to expand and enhance the educational programs available to new and continuing GMercyU students.” — Deanne D’Emilio, JD, Gwynedd Mercy University president

the release stated.

“We are excited about what the future holds for GMercyU, and for our current and future alumni,” said D’Emilio.

SUBMITTED PHOTO With the purchase of a 154-acre adjacent property, Gwynedd Mercy University has nearly doubled the size of its campus. This is an aerial view of the property that has been acquired by the university —outlined by the dotted yellow line. The smaller box details the entrance to the 157,000 square foot building that was part of the acquisition.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Gwynedd Mercy University has nearly doubled the size of its campus with its acquisition of a 154-acre adjacent property, which includes a 157,000 square foot building. This is the entrance to the building.