Dr. Colleen Hanycz Named Xavier President

[GIMMFD]

I never would have known to consider Xavier without the basketball program. It's fantastic marketing for the school for sure.

Anytime I tell anybody I'm a Xavier alum in random places, the first comment is almost always, "great basketball program" or something along those lines. It's definitely phenomenal marketing for the school, and agreed that resources, etc. should be properly put into keeping it a great basketball program.

[noteggs]

Anytime I tell anybody I'm a Xavier alum in random places, the first comment is almost always, "great basketball program" or something along those lines. It's definitely phenomenal marketing for the school, and agreed that resources, etc. should be properly put into keeping it a great basketball program.

I used to get, where the heck is that, Louisiana or something. Couldn’t get myself to say “Xavier of Oho” when they asked because my sUCks friends always referenced that to get under my skin.

[Strange Brew]

Hope she does well. Welcome to the family (a lovable dysfunctional lot for sure)!

Father G did a good job of moving X into the 21st Century even though I miss the gritty, underdog place I attended. I guess I must be getting older!

[xeus]

She likes basketball (imagine going from Gola Arena to a private box in the Cintas Center) and Oktoberfest, so she can't be all bad.

I think from here on we should refer to the President's suite, not the President's box.

[xudash]

I think from here on we should refer to the President's suite, not the President's box.

Ha! Nice catch. Thank you.

[kmcrawfo]

The "Visionary" part is the most important.
In this environment with world wide learning available, schools need to have ideas to grow and differentiate themselves. I don't know what her "visions" were at LaSalle, but it can't just be a continuation of the past. Life comes at you fast.
Xavier is well positioned now, and hopefully her associations with the other successful Big East school admins will help her. But I sure want to hear about innovations to come.

I was extremely pleased with the selection of Dr. Hanycz. She has been a leader and visionary over the years who has not been afraid to take risks and think outside of the box when needed. One of the bold things while at LaSalle included her "Tuition Reset" program where tuition was cut by 29% from $40k to around $28k for the institution. While this may not have worked at Xavier, it was very successful at LaSalle and helped revitalize the institution. She is a great listener, has a good sense of humor, and loves to interact with students and alumni. One of her requirements for taking this position was to become a fully tenured professor, so she could teach and interact more directly with her students. She also required that her home be a close distance to the University, so she could entertain students, faculty, alumni, etc. In my opinion she has a passion for teaching, nurturing, listening, and caring while simultaneously being able be a bold leader when appropriate. I believe she sees Xavier as a long term home and not a stepping stone to another position. Equally important to me was that she is strongly grounded in the Catholic Faith and the ideals of a Jesuit/Ignatian education. If I recall from my discussions, she may actually have 2 family members who are Jesuit Priests. In the end, Xavier had an extensive and impressive list of applicants for this position, but Dr. Hanycz was clearly the best of the group. It would be hard for me to imagine Xavier having done better. Our entire Board of Trustees was strongly in support of this selection with a unanimous vote. I have an immense amount of love, respect, and appreciation for Father Graham and what he has done for Xavier. I will miss him. However, I also believe that Dr. Hanycz has the potential to take Xavier to even greater accomplishments and places during her tenure. Looking forward to great things on and off the basketball court for X!

[xudash]

I was extremely pleased with the selection of Dr. Hanycz. She has been a leader and visionary over the years who has not been afraid to take risks and think outside of the box when needed. One of the bold things while at LaSalle included her "Tuition Reset" program where tuition was cut by 29% from $40k to around $28k for the institution. While this may not have worked at Xavier, it was very successful at LaSalle and help revitalize the institution. She is a great listener, has a good sense of humor, and loves to interact with students and alumni. One of her requirements for taking this position was to become a fully tenured professor, so she could teach and interact more directly with her students. She also required that her home be a close distance to the University, so she could entertain students, faculty, alumni, etc. In my opinion she has a passion for teaching, nurturing, listening, and caring while simultaneously being able be a bold leader when appropriate. I believe she sees Xavier as a long term home and not a stepping stone to another position. Equally important to me was that she is strongly grounded in the Catholic Faith and the ideals of a Jesuit/Ignatian education. If I recall from my discussions, she may actually have 2 family members who are Jesuit Priests. In the end, Xavier had an extensive and impressive list of applicants for this position, but Dr. Hanycz was clearly the best of the group. It would be hard for me to imagine Xavier having done better. Our entire Board of Trustees was strongly in support of this selection with a unanimous vote. I have an immense amount of love, respect, and appreciation for Father Graham and what he has done for Xavier. I will miss him. However, I also believe that Dr. Hanycz was the potential to take Xavier to even greater accomplishments and places during her tenure. Looking forward to great things on and off the basketball court for X!

Glad you paid this site a visit to provide your thoughts. Now I really feel good about the selection.

And, yes, Father Graham will be missed, but new blood and fresh vision combined with real talent will move X forward nicely.

[paulxu]

One of the bold things while at LaSalle included her "Tuition Reset" program where tuition was cut by 29% from $40k to around $28k for the institution. While this may not have worked at Xavier, it was very successful at LaSalle and helped revitalize the institution.

Thanks for the review of our new president at X. What you noted I had pointed out a local college had done with similar success. Not sure if it would work at X, but it's basically taking away all the various support X gives to the students, and posting a real cost to attract more people.

[Mel Cooley XU'81]

As I told Coco Cooley XU '21 when she told me of Fr. Graham's retirement: "Coco, I don't know who's gonna be next, but she's not gonna be a priest."

Thanks to kmcrawfo for the sparkling recommendation. All well said, . . . sir?

[SM#24]

She also required that her home be a close distance to the University, so she could entertain students, faculty, alumni, etc.

Plenty of places for rent in the Cleneay/Regent/Lexington corridor.