LeMoyne Collegein Syracuse made history Thursday with the selection of its 14th President. Current Provost, Doctor Linda LeMura will become the first ever lay woman President at a Jesuit College on July 1, 2014. LeMura expressed her gratitude Friday, and became emotional sharing her family’s search for the American Dream which she says inspired her.
“When my parents came to this country (from Sicily) in 1950... with a family in tow, modest means, not knowing the language. Who'd a thought that one of their children would become the President of a Jesuit College in Syracuse, NY in the United State of America ?”
One issue LeMura is concerned with is the rising costs of a liberal arts education. She says it’s closing-out some of the students they want to educate.
"Today we see waves of new immigrants coming from all around the world to our very fine city and nothing would make me happier than to see those individuals coming from all shores around the world to have the same exact high quality education and opportunities that myself and my siblings have had.”
LeMura says a degree from LeMoyneCollege was intended to be the ‘armor’ that will allow all students from all backgrounds and all means to thrive in a sometimes dangerous, always challenging world. LeMoyne’s current President Fred Pestello will remain in office through the end of June. Last month Pestello announced that he accepted a job offer to lead St. Louis University.