Jo Ann Rooney was recently named Loyola University Chicago’s 24th president. Her appointment makes her the first lay leader in school history. The New Oxford American Dictionary defines lay leaders as people who are “distinct from the clergy.” Since lay leadership is not an ordained clerical office, the lay leader’s responsibilities vary according to the particular tradition to which he or she belongs.
Rooney was also elected by the Loyola Board of Trustees in May. Upon being introduced, she offered the following statement:
“Education provides a foundation. It is the backbone behind vibrant, thriving communities, and frankly, an engaged society. Education enables individuals to grow, to thrive, and to reach their greatest potential.”
Rooney has an impressive background in higher education. Before joining Loyola, she served as president of two colleges, worked for the Department of Defense, and was a managing director of Huron Consulting. And while she has been out of education for a few years, Rooney said she’s eager to return to school, so to speak.
Others in the Loyola family are also excited. Faculty member Karen Berg-Helfgo met Rooney at a recent Loyola picnic event and said that the university’s new president “seems very warm and approachable.”
“She introduced herself and I said, ‘Oh, you look so familiar, I feel like I’ve met you before,’ ” Berg-Helfgot said. “And it took me a few seconds to realize, ‘Of course I’ve seen her before—standing at the podium in Mundelein Auditorium when she was introduced as the new president.’”
Another faculty member, Mary Ann (Kelley) McDermott, is also excited about working with Rooney.
“I’m delighted that she’s the new president,” said McDermott. “It’s just wonderful. Between Germany, England, maybe the U.S.—and now to have a woman president at Loyola—it’s great to see women leaders like that.”