President’s Message

Dear Holy Family University Community:

The past few months have been the most unusual times. From the public health and economic crush of the COVID-19 pandemic, to the unconscionable deaths of men and women before our very eyes, the start of 2020 has been a wake-up call. Now, more than ever, we need to pull together and take care of one another, especially our students who are the promise of our future.

I am grateful for the $2 million in funding we received in May from the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. Just over $1 million was made available to help our students most in need, allowing them to pay rent, purchase food, and afford housing during these difficult times. In keeping with the guidance from the US Department of Education, and our core values of service and responsibility, Holy Family very quickly developed a plan that allowed us to maximize support for our neediest students. To date, this process has distributed more than $820,000 to a total of 636 undergraduate and graduate students, and we have received many messages of deep appreciation.

Even in the best of times, financial aid is a game-changer for our students. We qualified for the CARES Act grant because so many of our students receive Pell grants. The majority of our students also receive University-funded scholarships, state aid, and scholarships generously funded by our alumni and friends. Even if financial aid covers their entire tuition, students still often need to borrow to cover the most basic living costs.

We strive to help our students graduate without a heavy burden of debt, and they receive a strong return on investment (ROI) for their Holy Family education. According to Georgetown University’s 2019 ranking of ROI for US colleges and universities, Holy Family placed 20th in Pennsylvania out of 76 private, nonprofit, four-year institutions.

I am most proud of how our students and alumni are paying it forward. They are nurses jumping in to care for COVID-19 patients, educators creating novel learning experiences to keep students engaged from home, and global citizens challenging social injustices of all kinds. The hallmark of a Holy Family education is exactly what is needed in these demanding times—bright minds with big hearts, making their mark in ensuring the world becomes a better place.

Sincerely, Sister Maureen McGarrity, CSFN, ’70, PhD University President