Saint Joseph’s University announced receipt of a $50 million gift from distinguished alumnus, James J. Maguire, Class of 1958 and his wife, Frances. This extraordinary gift is the largest in the University’s 166-year history and will significantly raise the University’s endowment, supporting scholarships and financial assistance to students and enabling the expansion of signature and mission-centered programs.

SJU will co-host advancement administrators from 28 Jesuit colleges and universities across the nation with the University of Scranton for the Jesuit Advancement Administrators (JAA) conference, July 9 to 11. JAA operates under the umbrella of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU), which is located in Washington, D.C.

SJU will host the fourth annual Ignatian Leadership Conference on Friday, July 28, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Suitable for participants in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, the conference explores leadership through the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, who is often referred to as one of the most effective leaders in human history.

University President Mark C. Reed, Ed.D., was appointed to the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) Board of Directors on July 1, 2017. Dr. Reed’s term ends in February, 2020.

Shaily Menon, Ph.D., an accomplished biologist and administrator, joined Saint Joseph’s University as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences on August 1. Most recently, Menon was associate dean for research, facilities planning and community engagement in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Grand Valley State University.

On Tuesday, July 4, the Honorable James F. Kenney, mayor of the City of Philadelphia, presented the Magis Award to Ralph Galati ’70 (USAF), director of veteran services at Saint Joseph’s University, as part of the 2017 Welcome America Festival.

SJU President Mark C. Reed, Ed.D., was named chair of the Atlantic 10 Council of Presidents at their annual spring meetings. Dr. Reed replaces outgoing chair Stephen Knapp, Ph.D., president of George Washington University, for a three-year term beginning in July.

While participants engage in activities like swimming, playing games and learning to cook, SJU’s Kinney SCHOLARS are hard at work making sure everything at Camp Kinney, an accredited camp for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, runs smoothly.