From the Provost

Gannon believes in the transformative power of education just as our founder Bishop John Mark Gannon did when he had the vision to create this wonderful university.

This same vision continues to guide our community members in the special work they do at our university every day. I’m honored to work with a highly motivated team including our three academic deans, dean of student development and engagement, and faculty to achieve this work and advance our mission for the benefit of our students.

This collaborative work has helped shape Gannon’s education by centering it around essential pillars that include: academic programs, globalization, Liberal Studies Core, wellbeing, experiential learning, service and leadership. Each of these are built around our Catholic identity and integrate to transform students’ lives. I am continuously inspired by this education and how our students eagerly embrace these learning opportunities.

But what is unique to our institution is that we ensure these opportunities extend to every aspiring and qualified student regardless of background or financial standing. Our student demographic is increasingly comprised of firstgeneration and lower-income students who are dedicated to believing in the possibilities. Many are scholarship students who require financial assistance to make these opportunities a reality.

One such student recently shared with me that he had never expected to go to college. That changed for this low-income, minority student when he received the Archbishop Gannon Scholarship, earning an engineering degree from Gannon and securing a career in the field. For this first-generation student, going to college didn’t just change his life – it shaped his family legacy.

It is possibilities like these that are inspired through our donors’ generosity. We’re proud to carry forward Gannon’s values and traditions of success into our next century. We’re propelling our mission forward for the benefit of our students, but we need additional financial support to make our plans a reality.

We invite you to consider what role you will play in Gannon’s next century as we continue to transform lives.

Walter Iwanenko, Ph.D.

Provost and vice president of student experience