There is nothing quite like the feeling of forward movement. When we set new goals and commit to the hard work, passion and journey toward achieving those goals, we are destined to create powerful impact on those we serve.
One of the things I appreciate about the Thanksgiving season is that it causes me to reflect on the past year and to assess just how far we’ve come. For me, this season is a reminder that transformation is the result of a relentless pursuit of progress. Sometimes it happens in leaps; more often it is a series of incremental steps. And, it is always the result of the cumulative effort of many.
This September, we announced an ambitious university campaign that will launch us forward into our next century in 2025. In a celebratory event, we unveiled our Believe. Inspire. Transform. Gannon’s Next Century campaign – a bold $100 million comprehensive fundraising campaign to harness the resources needed to advance our university’s mission and our trajectory for the future. This campaign is the most ambitious in our nearly 100-year history, and we are proud to have raised more than $60 million to date.
In the following pages, you can read about the goals of this campaign and how we are committed to driving forward our mission of transforming students’ lives through high-quality, affordable educational experiences that make a difference for students and the communities they serve.
In this issue, we’re also celebrating our history and the notable anniversaries of our Master of Business Administration program, the student-operated 90.5 WERG, and the Gannon Small Business Development Center. As we highlight this history, we also celebrate the related events and pioneers who have led us to where we are today.
The newly opened Hatchery at the Institute for Health and Cyber Knowledge is yet another example of our relentless march forward. The Hatchery, located on the third floor of the I-HACK building, is designed to mix local businesses and business development with academic learning in one active space. It was just earlier this year when we opened I-HACK’s first two floors, and now we’re inhabiting the stunning third floor that already buzzes with the energy of innovation, new ideas and creative solutions.
A sign of our university’s momentum can be found in our growing enrollment – we welcomed 4,705 students to Gannon University this fall, the most ever. These students have shown tremendous commitment to their academics by engaging in collaborative projects with Gannon and business leaders, advocating with legislators to effect meaningful changes, and stepping into essential leadership roles. To enhance these incredible experiences, we’ve revised our Liberal Studies Core to best connect our Catholic tradition and identity with a liberal education to prepare students to meet the evolving needs of a 21st-century marketplace.
I am deeply honored that we can provide a fertile environment where these students can pursue their personal and professional goals. I am inspired by them, and I am confident that we will see incredible things from this generation as they prepare to enter careers and make their mark across the globe.
Strides are being made across our two campuses and I can’t help but be grateful for the healthy position we find ourselves in this holiday season. I hope these stories will inspire you to be thankful, to have hope, and to anchor yourself in your pursuit of moving forward. I am so honored to share this issue of the Gannon Magazine with you.
God Bless,
Keith Taylor, Ph.D.
President, Gannon University