Salve Regina community to dedicate Gerety Hall at Wakehurst

In recognition of President Jane Gerety, RSM and her 24 years of commitment to Salve Regina, University trustees welcome the community to celebrate the dedication of Gerety Hall at Wakehurst at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9.

“Sister Jane’s extraordinary leadership as president of Salve Regina University has inspired the campus community to embrace innovation, curiosity and compassion,” the trustees wrote.

A hub for student activities with lounges, recreation areas and classrooms, Wakehurst houses the offices of Community Service and Student Activities, the Student Government Association, the Campus Activities Board, and various faculty offices.

Unveiled on Thursday will be a plaque with the following inscription: “With the Mercy mission as her guide, Sister Jane’s extraordinary leadership as president of Salve Regina has inspired the campus community to embrace innovation, curiosity and compassion. Her belief in the importance of a Mercy education and the boundless potential of all individuals is reflected in Sister Jane’s legacy, which has been forged by the many initiatives launched under her tenure to foster students’ personal, spiritual and academic growth. The University community is forever grateful for her abiding wisdom, engaged empathy and deep commitment to student success.”

Sister Jane joined Salve Regina’s board of trustees in 1995 and, among her leadership efforts to advance the institution, chaired its committee to rewrite the University’s mission statement re-affirming its Mercy mission and Catholic intellectual tradition. Inaugurated as the University’s seventh president in 2009, she worked tirelessly during her tenure to introduce several new academic programs, expand student scholarships, and oversee a major renovation to the O’Hare Academic Building. But first and foremost, Sister Jane was known across the University community as a student’s president.

“I’ve loved being part of the spirit of Salve, which I really think is imbued with mercy,” she said. “I hope I’ve helped to cultivate that spirit.” When she announced her retirement, she told the students: “You have changed in your time at Salve and so have I. Looking forward, we all share a bit of fear for the unknown and also hope for the excitement that is to come.”