Holy Family names new president

Holy Family University on Wednesday elevated its provost, Sister Maureen McGarrity, to president.

McGarrity, who has worked at Holy Family for 37 years, takes over for Sister Fancesca Onley, who announced her retirement in January. Onley led the school for 32 years and was one of the region's longest-serving presidents.

McGarrity, 68, will begin as the Philadelphia university's fifth president on July 1.

"Sister Maureen has the higher education experience needed in a university president," said Dennis J. Colgan, chairman of the board of trustees. "The Board has complete confidence in her leadership and looks forward to serving with her to make a great university even greater."

She got her bachelor's degree in biology from Holy Family, her master's degree in biology from Villanova University and a doctorate in microbiology from Saint Louis University. She has been provost for two years.

"I am honored to have been chosen to lead this wonderful institution and am eager to promote the university's academic rigor and holistic learning environment," McGarrity said in a statement. "During the 37 years I have spent in the ministry of Catholic higher education, I have seen it transform individuals and families."