Christopher Dougherty, Ph.D., inaugurated as Livonia university's eighth president, speaks of impact of religious sisters in U.S.
LIVONIA — Madonna University celebrated the inauguration of the institution’s eighth president, Christopher Dougherty, Ph.D., on Friday, Oct. 11, in a ceremony replete with tradition and dedication to the Felician spirit on which the university is founded.
Dougherty became president effective July 1, 2023, succeeding interim president Ian Day. Dougherty has more than 30 years of experience in higher education, where he has served in many roles, including as a full-time business faculty member, assistant and associate dean, and provost and president. Dougherty came to Madonna from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, where he served as associate professor of business and formerly served as vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty.
“Dr. Christopher Dougherty is a man of deep faith, knowledge and experience,” Michael Marinelli, Ph.D., headmaster at Archmere Academy in Delaware, where Doughtery attended high school, said during the ceremony. “His work in Catholic higher education has always been more than a job. It is a ministry that he embraces, recognizing that by pairing knowledge and faith, we truly bring God's love to others through His Holy Spirit. Sapiensia desorran, 'Wisdom from Above,' the words included on the university seal.”
The day began with a Mass of thanksgiving for the new president followed by the afternoon ceremony, during which the Madonna University Chorale performed, and Doughtery was joined on stage by fellow colleagues at Madonna, university trustees, members of the Felician Sisters, Livonia Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan, and members of the Madonna student body.
In his inauguration statement, Dougherty said he is “humbled and filled with joy” to have accepted his new role.
“I say filled with joy intentionally, for as you know, this year's mission theme for Madonna is that the Lord has done great things for us. We are filled with joy,” Dougherty said. “That theme coincides with the sesquicentennial of the Felician Sisters in North America, celebrating the 150th anniversary of five Felician Sisters who journeyed from Poland to Germany to Scotland and then eventually by ship to Polonia, Wisconsin, to begin the remarkable work of more than 40 ministries that have been founded, sponsored, and co-sponsored by the Felician Sisters of North America.”
Dougherty added the story of the Felician Sisters is a reminder that joy and success are always rooted in humble beginnings, pointing back to the founding of the other institutions at which he has served.
“That same humility has informed so many of the experiences that bring me here today. Madonna is the third institution that I have served that was founded by women religious, by Catholic sisters, who, from the humblest of beginnings, established their ministries in the U.S. and became leaders in their communities, founding schools, hospitals, social service agencies and a range of other organizations. Each of those organizations is committed to serving others in a spirit that is grounded in excellence in practice and Catholic social teaching,” Dougherty said. “When I consider the histories of the sisters I have called my colleagues and collaborators, I marvel at the common threads in their origin stories that speak to the power of humble beginnings.”
The three similar narratives, counting the Felicians, include the Sisters of the Holy Child of the Americas, founded by six sisters who traveled the Atlantic on the HMS Scotia in 1862 and founded Rosemont College in 1921; and the Sisters of St. Joseph, founded by six sisters in 1650, who sponsored Chestnut Hill College.
Dougherty said the trajectory of his life and that of members of his immediate family had been impacted by the charisms and faith of many other religious orders, such as the Bernardine Sisters, Mercy Sisters and Jesuit priests.
Sr. Judith Marie Kubicki, CSSF, the provincial minister for the Felician Sisters of North America from Beaver Falls, Pa., shared remarks of congratulations and support on behalf of the Felician Sisters, many of whom were present at the ceremony.
“Leadership is a gift or charism that a person receives for the flourishing of a particular community, and today, we gather to acknowledge the gift of leadership in Dr. Christopher as he is inaugurated as the eighth president of Madonna University,” Sr. Kubicki said.
“On behalf of the Felician Sisters of North America, I congratulate you on this honor," Sr. Kubicki continued. "May our good and gracious God bless you with wisdom and courage so that you can be the university president who will lead Madonna into a future full of hope. May the Holy Spirit gift you with wisdom and compassion, strength, conviction and generosity of spirit.”
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