The Past 20 Years
With Sister Candace Introcaso, CDP, Ph.D. at the helm beginning in 2004, La Roche reaffirmed its commitment to diversity and global outreach. After overcoming financial challenges at the beginning of the decade, La Roche was positioned to further expand its academic and collegiate sports programs, improve facilities and attract increased support from individuals, foundations and government agencies. Campus operations were consolidated on the East Campus in 2007. The sale of the West Campus property provided revenue to stabilize La Roche’s finances and further expand academic and athletic programming.
The La Roche Experience was added to the core curriculum in 2008, introducing students to the history and heritage of the College and the Sisters of Divine Providence. Shortly thereafter the Student Abroad + Study USA program was established.
During the 2010s President Introcaso oversaw major renovations to the Wright Library and the Baierl Athletic Complex. La Roche celebrated its 50th anniversary with a Year of Jubilee in 2013. Drawing on the biblical concept of Jubilee, La Roche forgave $50,000 in student debt, employees were given five additional vacation days, and members of the local community were given the opportunity to take a class at no charge. That year, President Introcaso’s favorite actor, Martin Sheen, gave the commencement address. At the end of the decade, in 2019, President Introcaso announced the Pennsylvania Department of Education approved the change in status and name from La Roche College to La Roche University.
In early 2020 the University celebrated the opening of its renovated Palumbo Science Center, supporting a growing demand for STEM programming and enrollment in the sciences. The Anthony J. Battaglia Clinical Simulation Center also opened, providing nursing students with a variety of opportunities to practice assessment skills and critical thinking. The celebrations were short-lived as 2020 soon became a tumultuous year as the nation and world faced a global pandemic. President Introcaso deftly steered La Roche through the COVID-19 pandemic. Students were brought home from study abroad. New policies and protocols were quickly developed, and students were sent home or moved off campus. All classrooms were outfitted for remote learning, all faculty were trained in remote instruction, and all classes moved online. Even so, La Roche continued to move forward.
In 2021 La Roche launched a Center for Lifelong Learning, fulfilling the vision President Introcaso had for creating an intergenerational community on campus. The University administration offices also relocated to the Marie de la Roche Center on the Sisters of Divine Providence campus. In 2022 the Admissions Welcome Center opened in a prime, highly visible location in the Zappala Campus Center. Additionally, the University expanded its international outreach by launching an external representation office in India to serve all of South Asia.
On May 22, 2023, President Introcaso unexpectedly entered eternal life. At a memorial Mass honoring her legacy, the Center for Lifelong Learning was renamed in her honor. It is now known as the Introcaso Center for Lifelong Learning and has nearly 400 members.
The University’s Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Howard Ishiyama will lead the University as Interim President until the eighth president assumes office.