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Neumann University names new president

After a seven-month search, Neumann University has named its next president.

Chris E. Domes, currently president of Silver Lake College, a small Catholic liberal-arts schools in Wisconsin, will take over at Neumann, in Aston Township, Delaware County, on July 1.

Like Neumann, Silver Lake is a Franciscan college.

Domes will succeed Rosalie M. Mirenda, one of the region's longest-serving college presidents, who announced in August she was retiring from the position she has held since 1996.

The search committee and the board of trustees reviewed more than 60 candidates from across the nation, and the board was unanimous in picking Domes, said James Delaney, the chairman.

"The board was looking for somebody to carry on the tradition and legacy of Dr. Mirenda," he said. "We call her the energizer bunny." He noted that she often attended student activities and recognized students by their first names.

Under Mirenda, Neumann grew from a commuter college of fewer than 900 students to a residential university of almost 3,000.

Mirenda led the drive that resulted in Neumann's gaining university status in 2009.

Domes said he planned to follow Mirenda's model.  "I am a very present and active person on campus. They [students] will see me at sporting events and activities," he said.

"I want to see him continue to grow this place," said Mirenda, "and I don't mean just as a number, but to grow in identity, to grow the institution's ability to serve a more diverse community."

Domes and Mirenda have had contact with each other through the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities.

"She's an exceptional leader in Catholic higher education and an incredible role model, and I have some very big shoes to fill as I step into this role," Domes said.

Before Silver Lake, Domes held various positions at two Catholic colleges, Marymount University, in Virginia, and St. Bonaventure University, in New York, which also is a Franciscan affiliate.

He said he planned to hold listening sessions with faculty and staff within the first months after he takes over.