As I begin my final year as president of Bellarmine University, I find myself reflecting not only on the past decade but on the remarkable 75-year story of this institution that I have been privileged to steward for a time.

Universities often speak about legacy. At Bellarmine, I have come to understand legacy not as something we inherit passively, but as something we actively shape through courage, care, conviction, and faith in one another. The founders of this university in 1950 could not have imagined every challenge or opportunity that would emerge over the next three-quarters of a century. But they understood something enduring: that a Catholic university grounded in the liberal arts could transform lives, strengthen communities, and prepare students not simply for careers, but for meaningful lives rooted in purpose and service.

That mission remains as vital today as it was then.

When I arrived at Bellarmine in 2017, I immediately recognized a place with tremendous heart and tremendous potential. I saw a deeply committed faculty and staff, talented students eager to make a difference, loyal alumni who care profoundly about this university, and a community determined not merely to survive a changing higher education landscape, but to lead within it.

Over the past several years, we have worked together to position Bellarmine for a strong and sustainable future. We developed and implemented a bold strategic plan focused on student success, innovation, and access. We expanded academic offerings aligned with workforce and community needs while remaining rooted in the Catholic intellectual tradition that has always defined us. We elevated Bellarmine Athletics to NCAA Division I, giving our students and university a larger stage while strengthening campus pride and visibility. We navigated a global pandemic together with resilience and compassion for one another.

Most importantly, we never lost sight of our students.

One of my proudest accomplishments is deepening Bellarmine’s commitment to becoming more accessible and more transformative for students from all backgrounds. Today, many of our students are some combination of Pell-eligible, first-generation college students, and students of color. Through scholarships, partnerships, mentoring, experiential learning opportunities, and initiatives like Bellarmine IMPACT, we have sought to ensure that all students are supported not only academically but personally and spiritually as well.

The results of that work have been deeply affirming. Last year, Bellarmine earned Carnegie recognition as an “Opportunity College and University – Higher Access, Higher Earnings,” placing us among a select group of institutions nationally recognized for creating upward economic mobility for students. We have also earned the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, reflecting our longstanding commitment to partnership and service beyond campus boundaries, as evidenced through the 28,205 hours of service completed by our community in the most recent cycle. These recognitions affirm who we truly are: a university committed to transforming lives and improving the human condition.

At the same time, Bellarmine graduates continue to demonstrate unrivaled outcomes. Our students leave this campus prepared to thrive professionally and contribute meaningfully in healthcare, business, education, technology, the arts, and countless other fields. They carry with them the values and habits of mind cultivated through a Bellarmine education – intellectual curiosity, compassion, integrity, and a commitment to serving others.

Throughout these years, I have also been continually inspired by the generosity of the Bellarmine community. Alumni, donors, trustees, faculty, staff, and friends have invested in this university because they believe in its mission and in its future. As we conclude our celebration of Bellarmine’s 75th anniversary and continue with our comprehensive fundraising campaign, I believe we are not only honoring our past but shaping the next  era of this institution’s impact on Louisville and beyond.

What gives me the greatest confidence about Bellarmine’s future is not any single ranking, designation, or achievement. It is the character of this community. It is the way Bellarmine

people show up for one another. It is the belief that education should expand opportunity and deepen our shared humanity. It is our conviction that students deserve to be known, challenged, encouraged, and cared for as whole persons – mind, body, and spirit. That spirit has defined Bellarmine for 75 years, and I am certain it will continue to define this university long after my presidency concludes.

Serving as Bellarmine’s fourth president has been one of the greatest honors of my life. I have loved this university deeply – its mission, its people, its traditions, and its aspirations. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to work alongside so many talented and dedicated individuals who believe in the transformative power of higher education and the enduring importance of Catholic education grounded in compassion and truth.

As Bellarmine enters its next chapter, it can do so with enormous optimism. The challenges facing higher education are real, but so are the opportunities for institutions willing to innovate while remaining faithful to their mission. Bellarmine is exceptionally well positioned for the future because we understand who we are, who we serve, and why our work matters.

The next 75 years of Bellarmine’s story are already beginning to unfold. I cannot wait to see what our students, alumni, faculty, staff, and supporters accomplish together in the years ahead.