Glynis Fitzgerald 2024


Alvernia will celebrate the inauguration of Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D., the eighth president in university history, with a week of activities for students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community, culminating with a ceremony on Friday, April 12, 2024.

CAPTE

Signature Events

Inauguration Mass
  • Date and Time: April 12, 11 a.m.
  • Location: Sacred Heart Chapel
  • Audience: All are invited and welcome to attend.
  • Description: Join us as the Most Rev. Alfred A. Schlert, bishop of Allentown, presides over the inauguration Mass for President Glynis A. Fitzgerald.
Inauguration Ceremony
  • Date and Time: April 12, 3 to 4:30 p.m.
  • Location: PEC
  • Audience: All are invited and welcome to attend.
  • Description: Please join us for the inauguration ceremony of the eighth president of Alvernia University.
Inauguration Reception
  • Date and Time: April 12, 5 to 6 p.m.
  • Location: PEC
  • Audience: All are invited and welcome to attend.

Learn More About Dr. Fitzgerald

Glynis A. Fitzgerald Eighth President
Groundbreaking leader becomes Alvernia's first female lay president
Following four years as Senior Vice President and Provost, Fitzgerald became the university's eighth president on July 1.
Glynis Fitzgerald and Faculty
Biography
Fitzgerald arrived at Alvernia in 2019 with over 20 years of higher education experience as the senior vice president and provost.
Alvernia University President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. welcomes students into Francis Hall
President's Column, Summer 2023
In her first Alvernia Magazine president's column, Fitzgerald discusses continuing the mission.

 

Full Schedule

Thursday, April 4       

Pottsville CollegeTowne Event

  • Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. 
  • Location: Pottsville CollegeTowne
  • Audience: All are invited and welcome; those wanting to attend must RSVP.
  • Description: Join our alumni, community, parents, and leaders of the university for a special evening to celebrate the inauguration of Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D.
  • Register here.
Friday, April 5   

Casino Night

  • Time: 7 to 10 p.m.
  • Location: Francis Hall Atrium
  • Audience: For Alvernia students
  • Description: Hit the jackpot by attending our Casino Night! Francis Hall Atrium will be transformed into a casino filled with games such as blackjack, poker and roulette. Earn as many poker chips as possible and trade them in for chances to win raffle prizes!
Saturday, April 6        

HECBC Conference

  • Location: Albright College
  • Audience: Public/Faculty/Students
  • Description: The annual HECBC Undergraduate Research and Creativity Conference allows students to share their research and creativity with each other and the community. The conference is open to any undergraduate student seeking an opportunity to share their expertise with other scholars.


Mass

  • Time: 4 p.m.
  • Location: Sacred Heart Chapel
  • Audience: For the Bernardine Sisters (Invitation Only)
  • Description: The Bernardine Franciscan Sisters will hold a private Mass where they will celebrate with and commune with President Glynis Fitzgerald. 


Dinner with Bernardine Sisters

  • Time: 5 p.m.
  • Location: Motherhouse
  • Audience: For the Bernardine Sisters (Invitation Only)
  • Description: The Bernardine Franciscan Sisters will commission Glynis Fitzgerald as president of the university they founded 65 years ago.
Sunday, April 7  

Day of Contemplation  

Monday, April 8  

Alvernia Community Interfaith Commissioning

  • Time: 4 or 5 p.m.
  • Location: McGlinn Conference Center
  • Audience: All are invited and welcome.
  • Description: Join our interfaith leaders from Berks County and beyond as they commission President Glynis Fitzgerald and offer blessings on her presidency from their own faith traditions.


Interfaith Reception

  • Time: 5 to 6:30 p.m.
  • Location: McGlinn Conference Center
  • Audience: All are invited and welcome.
Tuesday, April 9  

Philadelphia Alumni Event

  • Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
  • Location: Manayunk Brewing Company, 4120 Main St., Philadelphia
  • Audience: All are invited and welcome.
  • Description: Join our alumni, community, parents, and leaders of the university for a special evening to celebrate the inauguration of Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D.
  • Register here.
Wednesday, April 10

Academic Engagement Day

Campus Happy Hour

  • Time: 3 to 4:30 p.m.
  • Location: Holleran Patio or Student Center
  • Audience: For the Alvernia Community
  • Description: The Alvernia community is invited for a backyard bbq happy hour before an evening of panels and art.


Women in Leadership Panel

  • Time: 5 p.m.
  • Location: Francis Hall Theatre
  • Audience: All are invited and welcome.
  • Description: Dr. Laurie L. Shanderson, owner of Accreditation Insights and the former chancellor of Methodist College, Lucine Sihelnik, President and CEO of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance and Ginger Kunkel, COO of Tompkins Financial Corp, lead a panel spotlighting women who are succeeding as leaders in academia and beyond.
  • Register here.


Women in Leadership Reception

  • Time: 6 to 7 p.m. 
  • Location: Francis Hall Atrium
  • Audience: All are invited and welcome.
     

Student Art Show

  • Time: 6 p.m.
  • Location: Franco Library
  • Audience: All are invited and welcome.
  • Description: Alvernia's Miller Gallery will showcase the art of Alvernia's students.


Faculty Art Show

  • Time: 6 p.m.
  • Location: Miller Gallery
  • Audience: All are invited and welcome.
  • Description: Alvernia’s Miller Gallery honors the Inauguration of Dr. Glynis A. Fitzgerald with a show featuring the talents of the faculty and staff at the university. Some pieces will be for sale. 
     

Alvernia Theatre Opening Night

  • Time: 7:30 p.m.
  • Location: Francis Hall Theatre
  • Audience: All are invited and welcome.
  • Description: The Department of Fine and Performing Arts is proud to present "Opening Night," a brief variety performance including music, dance and comedy by Alvernia students and alumni in honor of the inauguration of Dr. Glynis Fitzgerald. Admission is free. The show will be followed by dessert in the Francis Hall Atrium.
Thursday, April 11

Donor/VIP Event

  • Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
  • Location: Reading Public Museum
  • Audience: Invitation Only
  • Description: Alvernia’s major philanthropic supporters and other university and community leaders will join for an evening to enjoy hors d'oeuvres, cocktails, and music by the Reading Symphony Orchestra string quartet. This event is invite only.
Friday, April 12

Mass

  • Time: 11 a.m.
  • Location: Sacred Heart Chapel
  • Audience: All are invited and welcome.


VIP Luncheon

  • Time: 12:30 to 2 p.m.
  • Location: McGlinn Conference Center
  • Audience: Invitation only


Inauguration Ceremony

  • Time: 3 to 4:30 p.m.
  • Location: PEC
  • Audience: All are invited and welcome.
  • Description: Please join us for the inauguration ceremony of the eighth president of Alvernia University.


Reception

  • Time: 5 to 6 p.m.
  • Location: PEC
  • Audience: All are invited and welcome.
  • Description: All inauguration ceremony attendees are welcome to join President Fitzgerald for refereshments and fellowship in the Physical Education Center.


Inauguration Formal

  • Time: 8:30 to 11 p.m.
  • Location: PEC
  • Audience: Students only.
  • Description: Come dance the night away! As part of Inauguration Week events, Alvernia will host an Inauguration Formal for students. Please join us for food, drinks, dancing, raffle prizes and lots of fun. Heavy hors d’ oeuvres, desserts and drinks will be available. The event is free to Alvernia students, who may bring one non-Alvernia guest. Students must sign up and pick up a free ticket in the Office of Student Activities.
Saturday, April 20

Day of Service

  • Time: 1:15 to 4:15 p.m.
  • Locations: Berks County Parks Department and City of Reading
  • Audience: Alvernia faculty, staff and students; those wanting to attend must RSVP.
  • Description: Join us in celebrating President Fitzgerald's Inauguration by serving together on Earth Day! We will serve throughout the City of Reading and in Berks County Parks Department locations. The day will conclude with a tree dedication at City Park. 
  • Sign-up link for students, faculty and staff.
  • Sign-up link for alumni.

 

Accommodations

For those attending the inauguration from out of town, a block of rooms has been reserved at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading. Guests should use this special link to reserve at the special rate. There are accessible rooms in the block due to the hotel's low inventory; guests should check the accessible room to see more rooms. The link and code will expire on midnight on March 12. Guests may also call into the hotel (610-375-8000) using the group code 906. 


For additional places to stay, along with recommendations on things to do, sights to see and places to eat, visit our Discover Greater Reading page.

Students and Alvernia President Glynis A. Fizgerald paint a bathroom at Reading High School
Support Partners in Progress
In honor of President Glynis A. Fitzgerald inauguration, gifts can be made to the university's historic Partners in Progress Campaign.