Mount St. Mary’s University’s Board of Trustees Votes Unanimously to Retain Thomas H. Powell as President of the University

Mount St. Mary’s University’s Board of Trustees has voted unanimously to retain Thomas H. Powell as president of the university for the next five years. President Powell, the 24th Mount president, began his leadership role in 2003 when he came to the university after serving as president of Glenville State College in Glenville, West Virginia.

At the dawn of its third century, the university, founded in 1808,  will continue moving forward over the next five years pledged President Powell. “Together we will implement our aggressive strategic plan,” said the President. “We will focus on our Catholic identity, our excellence in academics, strengthening our financial base and the marketing of the university as the best kept secret in the Mid-Atlantic region.”

In the past four years, President Powell is credited with building the first new residence hall in thirty years and developing state-of-the-art improvements to the athletic facilities at the Division I school, including building an arena and a new baseball field.  Academic achievements have continued under President Powell’s leadership as has an increase in enrollment and the honor of being named one of the top Catholic universities in the United States.

President Powell is also leading Bicentennial celebrations at the historic, two hundred year-old university. The yearlong festivities include more than forty-one events around the country. The founding of Mount St. Mary’s by Father John DuBois in 1808 will also be marked by a final gala in October of 2008.

Powell plans to join the university faculty following his tenure as president at the Mount, but now, remains focused on the near future.  “I will count on the good guidance of faculty, administrators and staff to help me dedicate myself to the Mount’s mission,” he said. “I will work with God’s help, to be worthy of the trust placed in me by our Trustees.”