DeSales Inaugurates Rev. James J. Greenfield, OSFS '84 as Fourth President

In May of 1984, a young James J. Greenfield sat with his fellow classmates in Billera Hall, ready to receive his diploma. Nearly 34 years later, he began a new chapter in that very same building — this time, as president of his alma mater.

DeSales University ushered in a new era on April 4 with the inauguration of Fr. Greenfield, OSFS '84, Ed.D. as its fourth president. Watch a recording of the ceremony »

W. Douglas Brown, chair of the University's Board of Trustees, placed the ceremonial presidential medallion around Fr. Greenfield's neck in front of a large crowd of faculty, staff, students, alumni, other university and college delegates, community members, and fellow clergy.

"It's my deep honor to stand here before you this afternoon to be presented for service and ministry as the fourth president of DeSales University," Fr. Greenfield told the crowd before joking, "Today is a momentous occasion for all of us here in Center Valley— our local Giant will start selling beer and wine today."

Fr. Greenfield — the first alumnus to lead the University — focused his address on three key areas: memories of his alma mater, a mandate for Catholic higher education, and the mission of DeSales.

He recalled his own time as a student and likened his return to a homecoming. "Back then, there was no such thing as a fitness center — just a room with free weights somewhere in a closet. In 35 years, Billera Hall has changed dramatically, and so has this great school. And so has the world and the enterprise of higher education."

Fr. Greenfield acknowledged the skyrocketing cost of higher education — averaging nearly $39,000 in 2015 — and the historic levels of debt that many students are saddled with when they leave college.

"I see it as a moral imperative and a matter of justice to make sure every dollar parents and their young children spend on an education here at DeSales University is worth the investment," he said.

For his final point, Fr. Greenfield invoked the University's spirit of Christian Humanism and the Salesian theme of unidiverse — co-existing in a peaceful, loving way with those who are different.

"Our hope for all of our students is that they fall in love with the ultimate beauty who is God. And, in the words of Fr. Jerry Schubert, the beloved founder of the theatre program here at DeSales, quoting Gerard Manley Hopkins, we need to 'give beauty back.' This is the beauty of social justice — loving and serving others, especially those in need."

Before Fr. Greenfield's speech, a host of representatives offered their greetings and support, including Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, Ph.D., president of Villanova University; Alison R. Byerly, Ph.D., president of Lafayette College; and members of the DeSales faculty, staff, and student body.

Denise Von Funk '80, a member of the Board of Trustees, told the crowd that during the search for a new president, she was struck by how Fr. Greenfield compared the role of the president to that of an orchestra conductor — someone who leads by listening and doesn't micromanage.

"It was clearly evident that Father Jim would bring a new energy and perspective to DeSales," she said. "In the relatively short time that Fr. Greenfield has been on campus, it is evident his love of the University and that he has a vision for its future."

Inauguration Ceremony

Prelude - Selections for Brass Ensemble and Keyboard
Academic Procession - "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" by Johann Sebastian Bach, arr. Chris Coletti Brass Ensemble; "God Bless America" by Irving Berlin DeSales University Chorale and Brass Ensemble
Master of Ceremonies - Gerard J. Joyce '91, Ph.D. Executive Vice President
Invocation - Karrington Hamilton '18 Psychology Major
Welcome - Denise Von Funk '80 Board of Trustees
Greetings:
Representing Catholic Colleges and Universities - Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, Ph.D. President, Villanova University
Representing Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges (LVAIC) - Alison R. Byerly, Ph.D. President, Lafayette College
Representing the Civic Community - The Honorable Joseph F. Leeson Jr. '77, Hon. LL.D. United States District Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Representing the Alumni - Timothy E. Nolan '77, M.B.A., Hon. L.H.D. Executive Vice President, EmblemHealth
Representing the Undergraduate Student Body - Brendan Graham '19 Mathematics Major
Representing the Faculty - Katherine Ramsland, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology
Representing the Professional Administrative Staff - Marian Gehringer '81, M.B.A. Senior Accountant
Representing the Support Staff - Margaret Huber Mailroom Supervisor
Representing the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival Staff - Patrick Mulcahy, M.F.A. Producing Artistic Director
Presentation of the President - Rev. Kevin M. Nadolski, OSFS, M.Div., M.A. Assistant Provincial, Oblates of St. Francis de Sales
Installation and Investiture of the President - W. Douglas Brown, Esquire Chair, Board of Trustees
Inauguration Address - Rev. James J. Greenfield, OSFS '84, Ed.D. President
Reading "Poem Ending with Lines from Wendell Berry" — for the Inauguration of Rev. James J. Greenfield, OSFS composed and read by Stephen Myers, Ph.D., Professor of English
Anthem - "All You Works of the Lord, Bless the Lord" by Kenneth Jennings DeSales University Chorale • DeSales University Student Dancers Patricia O'Connell, piano
DeSales University Alma Mater - Music by Angela Curren Ryan Text by Rev. Bernard O'Connor, OSFS, performed by the DeSales University Chorale and Brass Ensemble
Benediction - Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, D.D., J.C.L. Bishop of the Diocese of Allentown
Recessional - "Triumphal March" from Aida, by Giuseppe Verdi, arr. Bill Holcombe Brass Ensemble

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