Mercy Sister Rosemary E. Jeffries, who has served as president of Georgian Court University, Lakewood, since 2001, announced May 7 that she will conclude her presidency in June 2015. Her decision follows a 2013 contract extension in which she agreed to serve for two more years.

"It has been a privilege to serve as the eighth president of Georgian Court, especially during the dramatic transitions that we have seen since 2001," said Sister Rosemary, who is a Religious Sister of Mercy. "From gaining university status in 2004 to going completely coeducational in 2013, we have experienced many changes while always remaining focused on our students and our mission. Even as we prepare for a new era of leadership, I know that the Georgian Court commitment--steeped in more than 105 years of Mercy tradition -- will remain."

As the Georgian Court University board of trustees accepted Sister Rosemary’s resignation, effective June 30, 2015, members praised her vision and tenacity, especially in the face of a difficult economy and swift changes in higher education.

"Under Sister Rosemary, we have seen Georgian Court grow in tremendous ways, as she added new, state-of-the-art facilities, attained university status, led the creation of our 2012-2017 strategic plan, and shifted the school from an historic women's college to coeducation," said board of trustees chairman Raymond F. Shea Jr., Esq.

"We are even more grateful that she agreed to remain at GCU after her last contract expired," he said. "The last two years have been critical as the campus successfully shifts to a fully coeducational institution--during one of the toughest financial periods in the history of higher education.”

Trustees will begin the presidential search process in June 2014, and Sister Rosemary will remain in office throughout the next academic year. Board members believe her one-year notice should make for a smooth transition.

"Given the extraordinary time and energy Sister Rosemary has invested in expanded academic programs and new alliances with local and global partners, we have every confidence that Georgian Court is in good hands," said Shea.

Sister Rosemary became president in July 2001, after serving in various leadership roles with the Sisters of Mercy of the Mid-Atlantic and the Diocese of Trenton, including work as a communications director, development and public relations director, and in positions of pastoral ministry and teaching. She holds a doctorate  in sociology from Fordham University, a master of arts degree in religious studies from Princeton Theological Seminary, a master of arts degree in. public communications from Fordham, and a bachelor of arts degree. in art education from Georgian Court. A native of Ocean County, she has also worked as a leader with the New Jersey Presidents’ Council, the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference, NJEDge.net, and the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities.

"Thirteen years ago, I came to an institution ready to re-envision its future," recalled Sister Rosemary. "At the time, it was a college with a broad slate of educational offerings at the bachelor’s and master's levels and had enormous potential. I am grateful for the many members of the campus community who have worked with me to help the college achieve university status, add new programs, and forge new partnerships, ultimately to provide the continuing quality Catholic Mercy education for which Georgian Court has always been known."

During her first five years as president, she led $28 million in construction and renovation projects on the Lakewood campus, including the building of the Dorothy Marron University Community Chapel; St. Catherine Hall, a residence for students, Mercy Hall, a residence for the Sisters of Mercy; the Audrey Birish George Science Center; and the renovated Court Café. During her tenure, the campus also celebrated the grand opening of its $26-million, 67,000-square-foot Wellness Center, which was later certified as LEED-gold by the U.S. Green Building Council.

 In addition, Sister Rosemary spearheaded the largest fund-raising effort in the university's history, the Campaign for Georgian Court, which raised $17.2 in 2008, exceeding its original goal of $15 million. This campaign helped guarantee GCU's ability to offer a high-quality, Catholic education, even as the university expanded its offerings to include a four-year B.S.N. degree awarded by the Georgian Court-Meridian Health School of Nursing, and new majors in dance, exercise science, applied behavior analysis, homeland security, holistic health, and graphics and multimedia design.

Sister Rosemary embodies the best of the Mercy tradition in Catholic higher education, according to the Bishop.David M. O’Connell, C.M.

“As a former university president, I have admired the energy and creativity with which she has helped transform Georgian Court University into a first-class, 21st-century academic community,” he said. “As the Bishop of Trenton, I have been inspired by her efforts to do all that she has done, recognizing the school’s diversity but without sacrificing the university’s Catholic character and mission. She leaves behind a legacy of strength in presidential leadership and commitment to service that has earned her an outstanding reputation among her peers.”