Today, we are honoring one of our role models for women's history month -- Dr. Colleen Hancyz, president of Xavier University. In July 2021, Colleen M. Hanycz, PhD, became Xavier University’s 35th President: the first layperson and woman to serve in this role in Xavier’s 190-year history. From 2015 to 2021, President Hanycz served as the 29th President of La Salle University, also the first layperson and woman to serve in that role in La Salle’s 158-year history. Throughout her accomplished career as an attorney, professor, and administrator, President Hanycz has been an active proponent of Catholic education as a means to advance the common good and to celebrate the dignity of each person. Her values transcend religious affiliation, however. She is driven to promote the common good, to serve others, to educate the whole person, and to grow the next generation of leaders. Below is a prayer of gratitude and thanksgiving that she shared.
Loving Creator,
We asked for strength, and you gave us difficulties to make us strong.
We asked for wisdom, and you gave us problems to solve.
We asked for prosperity, and you gave us purpose and brains to use.
We asked for courage, and you gave us fears to overcome.
We asked for patience, and you gave us situations where we were forced to wait.
We asked for love, and you gave us troubled people to help.
We asked for justice, and you called us to be just and to lead with integrity.
Lord, we have received nothing that we asked for or wanted.
And yet, we received everything that we needed.
For this, we give thanks.
- Written and offered by Dr. Colleen Hanycz on 1/25/21 at the “Introduction to the Xavier Community” event upon her selection as the 35th president of Xavier University