President Flynn honored by Catholic Charities
Date: 2/23/2009
The Diocese of Allentown held its second annual Catholic Charities Gala honoring Dr. Thomas Flynn (President of Alvernia) and Very Reverend Bernard F. O’Connor, OSFS (President of DeSales University), on February 22.
The two were honored by Bishop Cullen and Catholic Charities for their commitment to the education of students in the field of Human Services, through course curriculum and community outreach programs.
“Those of us fortunate to work at Alvernia share a vocation motivated by a profound sense of service, rooted in a commitment to education,” said Dr. Flynn. “Fostering our students’ growth—intellectual, social, emotional, and spiritual—and supporting our students’ quest for professions that are callings, is serious work worthy of a career and a life.”
Fifty-one students at Alvernia were majoring in social work as of Fall 2008. Hundreds of others are preparing to work in helping professions.
Facts & Figures
- History: Established as a private four-year liberal arts college in 1958, Alvernia celebrated its 50th year by being awarded university status in 2008.
- Heritage: Founded by the Bernardine Sisters, a Catholic religious order, the university embraces the Franciscan core values of service, humility, collegiality, contemplation and peacemaking.
- Motto: “To Learn, To Love, To Serve”
- Campus: The main campus in Reading is 121 acres, with two satellite campuses in Philadelphia and Pottsville (Schuylkill County).
- Location: Our residential campus is situated three miles from center-city Reading, in the scenic Blue Mountain area of Eastern Pennsylvania.
- Enrollment: 2,800 students attend Alvernia including 1,420 traditional undergraduates, 600 continuing education students, and 780 graduate students. Over 77% of first-year students live on campus.
- Faculty: Among Alvernia professors, almost two-thirds hold the highest degree in their field. The student-to faculty ratio is 14:1.
- Athletics: NCAA Division III, member of the Commonwealth Conference of the Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation and member of Eastern College Athletic Conference, 8 men’s and 10 women’s intercollegiate sports.