President Jerry Joyce Formally Inaugurated

Kelby Chichester

The Mount St. Mary’s University community gathered on Saturday, April 12 to celebrate a historic moment in the institution’s history: the inauguration of Gerard J. Joyce, Ph.D. as the university’s 27th president.  

Held in Knott Arena at the PNC Sports Complex the ceremony marked not only Joyce’s formal installation but also celebrated his impactful leadership and the Mount’s recent accomplishments since his arrival in July 2024.  

In just nine months at the helm President Joyce has already made significant strides. Under his leadership, the Maryland Higher Education Commission approved two new majors—graphic design and finance. He also launched a university-wide strategic planning initiative and placed a renewed emphasis on mission-driven programming.  

The campus has seen exciting growth and transformation during this time, including the opening of a new wing of the Coad Science Building, the launch of the Blue Peak Center for Applied Behavior Analysis and the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Division of Continuing Studies.  

Athletics saw a boost as well, with the announcement of women’s flag football as the Mount’s 26th varsity sport. March 2025 also brought a major victory: the men’s basketball team captured its first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) championship since joining the league, earning a trip to the NCAA Tournament and a thrilling win in the First Four.  

Before coming to the Mount, Joyce served more than 30 years at DeSales University, most recently as executive vice president. There, he played a key role in budget management, strategic planning and program development.  

As DeSales’ interim president—and the university’s first lay leader—he oversaw remarkable enrollment growth and the expansion of its academic offerings. 

In true Mount fashion, the week leading up to the inauguration was filled with festivities. It began with JerryFest 2025 on April 9, a student-favorite event featuring food trucks, games and music to honor the new president.  

On April 11, the Mount’s faculty hosted an academic symposium titled “Founded in Friendship, Growing Through Collaboration.” The event explored the university’s mission, Catholic identity and growth. After opening reflections by Associate Professor of English Sean Lewis, Ph.D. a diverse panel of faculty and staff led a thoughtful conversation on the Mount’s role in higher education.

The panel featured members from across disciplines—including the sciences, humanities, education and athletics—highlighting the university’s collaborative spirit.  

Later that day the Mount community gathered for an Inauguration Mass in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception. Archbishop William E. Lori, S.T.D., S’77, served as celebrant, with several Mount-affiliated clergy concelebrating the service, including Vice President and Seminary Rector Msgr. Andrew Baker and University Chaplain Rev. Justin Gough.  

Joyce’s inauguration signals a new era of progress and promise for Mount St. Mary’s. The university looks ahead to a future rooted in tradition and inspired by innovation.