Merck

usable interior space and expands the campus to 314 acres, the university said in a Dec. 6 release.

“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,” GMercyU President Deanne D’Emilio said in the 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.”

In answer to emailed questions about the purchase, Meghan Orsino, Gwynedd Mercy’s marketing and public relations manager, said the school is in the early stages of determining when classes will begin in the existing building.

“It is still very early in the process, considering we only purchased the property on December 4,” she wrote. “Our next steps include creating a detailed development timeline as a part of our overall campus master plan.”

The purchase price is not being released at this time, she wrote, “but we are absolutely thrilled that we could take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to double the size of our campus.”

“The University plans to transform the property into a state-of-theart facility that will support innovative teaching and learning initiatives that enhance existing programs and support the introduction of new marketresponsive programs,” the release said.

“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 said.

Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. (JLL) was Merck’s representative in the sale, the release said.

“Gwynedd Mercy University is such a valued and treasured part of the Lower Gwynedd community and I congratulate them on making such a strategic investment in their future,” Lower Gwynedd Township Board of Supervisors Chair Kathleen Hunsicker said in the release. “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.”

“The world needs more Distinctive Mercy Graduates who stand ready to make a real and lasting difference in the communities in which they live and work,” D’Emilio said. “We are excited about what the future holds for GMercyU, and for our current and future alumni.”

“Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1948, Gwynedd Mercy University is a coeducational institution offering more than 40 bachelor’s, master’s, and associate degree programs as well as two doctoral programs on a full- and parttime basis,” information in the release said.

Along with the main campus on Sumneytown Pike between routes 202 and 309 in Gwynedd Valley, the university has onground and online degree programs for adults through Philadelphia and Bensalem campuses, the information said.