The first lay president of Immaculata University, Barbara Lettiere, will become the 10th president to lead the Catholic university during an installation ceremony Oct. 27.

The day’s events will begin with a Mass at 1 p.m. in the Villa Maria House of Studies chapel at the Chester County  university with Auxiliary Bishop Michael J. Fitzgerald of Philadelphia, vicar for Catholic education, as the main celebrant. The installation ceremony begins at 3:30 p.m. in Alumnae Hall Theater, followed by a reception in the Great Hall.

“President Lettiere wishes the inauguration to focus on the students and to have a joyful celebration with the entire campus community,” said Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Mary Henrich, vice president for Mission and Ministry and coordinator of the inauguration events.

Focusing on a campus-wide celebration that emphasizes the students, a simpler celebration is planned. Modifying the traditional university Inauguration festivities will allow the university to offer the 2017 Inaugural Scholarship, which will sustain the celebration and keep the focus on the students moving forward. The $15,000 scholarship will help students remove a financial barrier to pursing their education. Criteria for the scholarship are that the students be a resident of New Jersey, where Lettiere was born and raised, and maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher.

“My top priority is the students of Immaculata University. I am very pleased that by maintaining simplicity in the inauguration planning, we can provide opportunities for worthy high school students in New Jersey, my home state,” Lettiere said. “I am honored to offer the 2017 Inaugural Scholarship and eager to meet the first recipient.”

Prior to taking the helm at Immaculata, Lettiere, a Trenton native who attended St. Joachim Grammar School and Cathedral High School, served as vice president for Finance and Administration at Trinity Washington University for 15 years. She spent most of the early years of her professional career at Bell Atlantic Corporation, holding various positions within the operations, marketing and finance sectors. In 1992, she became vice president/treasurer at Bell Atlantic before assuming the presidency of Bell Atlantic Federal Systems for five years, where she helped secure the largest government contract ever awarded to Bell Atlantic.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Immaculata, Lettiere earned a master of arts degree in economics and statistics from the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Ind., and a master of business administration in decision sciences and finance from Rider University, Lawrenceville. She is also a member of the National Association of College and University Business Officers.

For more information on the 2017 Inaugural Scholarship, email [email protected] or call the Financial Aid Office at 610-647-4400, ext. 3028.