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News

The media relations team serves as the primary contact for all media inquiries for the Philadelphia and Newtown campus locations. The team collects and shares Holy Family University news with the press and gathers information about the University community.

The press is encouraged to contact the media relations team to interview faculty experts in a variety of fields.

For general media inquiries, please contact news@holyfamily.edu.

For Athletics media inquiries, please contact Zachary Durham, sports information director at 267-341-3482 or zdurham@holyfamily.edu.

Media Contact

Christopher McKittrick

Communications Manager

Marian Hall, Second Floor

Holy Family University

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Holy Family University Announced as Initial Supporter of New Coalition to Reduce Gun Violence

Holy Family University is proud to be one of the initial supporters of Civic Coalition to Save Lives, a new coalition established by The Philadelphia Foundation and the William Penn Foundation, in partnership with Urban Affairs Coalition, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, and the Philadelphia Equity Alliance, to work toward solutions to support and sustain the reduction in gun violence and deaths in Philadelphia.

2022 PsyD Cohort

Psy.D. Program Welcomes 2022 Cohort

This semester, Holy Family University’s Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology (Psy.D.) program welcomed its 2022 cohort, the first cohort to enter the program since it was awarded accreditation on contingency by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA).

Dr. Michelle Murphy-Rozanski Represents Holy Family University at the 2022 CICIAMS XXI World Congress of Catholic Nurses

On August 2, Michelle Murphy-Rozanski, Ph.D., MSN, RN, CRNP, associate dean and director of Undergraduate Studies in Holy Family University's School of Nursing & Health Sciences, represented the University at the 2022 International Association of Catholic Nurses (CICIAMS) XXI World Congress of Catholic Nurses at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, PA.

Assessment Day 2022

Holy Family University Hosts Assessment Day 2022

On August 23, Holy Family University hosted Assessment Day, an opportunity for administrators, faculty, and staff to learn more about the process of assessment and how to incorporate it into practice to help evaluate and improve the quality of the University's programs and support structures.

Holy Family University Newtown Campus

American Psychological Association Awards Accreditation on Contingency for Holy Family University’s Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology (Psy.D.) Program

The Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology (Psy.D.) degree program at Holy Family University’s School of Arts & Sciences has been awarded accreditation on contingency by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA). The accreditation is effective as of March 18, 2022.

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Dr. Brian Berry Presents on Student Teaching Excellence at the University International of Catalunya in Saint Cugat, Spain

On July 6, Brian Berry, Ph.D., professor of Education in Holy Family University's School of Education, presented a paper, which was translated into Catalan, at Formative Feedback Day ARMIF 2020 as part of his participation in a research project with the University International of Catalunya (UIC) in Saint Cugat, Spain. Holy Family University and UIC established a university partnership in 2018. Dr. Berry has been an ongoing participant in this university partnership, which fosters faculty exchanges in Education and Health Sciences. 

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Dr. Roger Gee Presents Keynote Address at Peru TESOL Association 29th Annual Convention

On August 1, Roger Gee, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Doctor in Educational and Organizational Leadership program in Holy Family University’s School of Education, was a keynote speaker at the virtual Peru TESOL Association (Peru Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages Association) 29th Annual Convention. Peru TESOL Association is a non-profit organization of teachers of English in Peru that is an affiliate of the TESOL International Association.

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Juneteenth at Holy Family University

Holy Family University will host a Juneteenth event on Tuesday, June 14 at 10:30 a.m. in the Center for Teaching & Learning (Library, Second Floor).

We Stand with Ukraine

Donations for Ukraine

All are invited to assist the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth USA, Inc. and the Sisters of St. Basil the Great in collecting items for Ukraine.

Charter Day 2022

Holy Family University Celebrates Charter Day 2022

A year after Charter Day—the annual celebration of Holy Family University’s founding charter—was held in an all-virtual format, the Holy Family University community was able to gather together for an in-person celebration to celebrate the 68th anniversary of the signing of the University’s charter on February 11, 1954.

Mother Frances Siedliska

Remembering the Foundress of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Frances Siedliska (Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good the Shepherd)

Holy Family University is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth invite you to join them in celebrating the anniversary of the birth and death of our Foundress, Blessed Mary of Jesus the Good Shepherd, who was born on November 12, 1842, and died on November 21, 1902.

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Philosophy Faculty Patrick J. Casey Quoted in Boston Globe Editorial

A recent essay by Patrick J. Casey, assistant professor of philosophy in the School of Arts & Sciences, titled "Stop Calling 'Wokeness' a Religion," was quoted in an editorial titled "Is being woke a religion?" by Alan Levinovitz, associate professor of religion at James Madison University, in the November 6, 2021 edition of The Boston Globe.

Early Childhood Education Pathway Program

Advance Your Career with the Early Childhood Education Pathway Program at Holy Family University

The School of Education at Holy Family University is currently offering tuition support for students who work in licensed childcare facilities entering or currently in the Early Childhood Education Pathway Program, an opportunity to earn a PreK-4 or PreK-4/Special Ed bachelor’s degree and Pennsylvania teaching certification in a format that meets the needs of busy working professionals.

Shannon Brown '99, Christine Steele, and Gina Palumbo

Holy Family Archives Helps in Researching Former English Professor in Ancestral Search

Holy Family’s University Archives spans more than 50 years of the University’s history. Some of its collection includes records on the physical campus and grounds; faculty, student, alumni, and family and friends organizations; student life from its earliest years; the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth; and a wide range of individuals associated with the university.

Jinsy Mathew, DNP, MSN, RN, associate dean and assistant professor, School of Nursing & Health Sciences

Facilitating Student Success in Holy Family University’s DNP Program: Meet Dr. Jinsy Mathew, DNP Team Lead

Jinsy Mathew, DNP, MSN, RN, associate dean and assistant professor at Holy Family University’s School of Nursing & Health Sciences, can truly speak from experience when it comes to the value of a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree from Holy Family. Dr. Mathew graduated from the program in 2020, and shortly before the start of the fall 2021 semester became DNP Team Lead at the School of Nursing & Health Sciences, responsible for overseeing the same program that she graduated from.

Campus Ministry Event Prepares 500+ Sandwiches to Feed the Needy

Campus Ministry Event Prepares 500+ Sandwiches to Feed the Needy

On Monday, September 20, the Holy Family University community came together in the Campus Center to participate in a service project with Campus Ministry to support the Blessed Sarnelli Community in Philadelphia, an organization dedicated to providing for people in need. The volunteers worked together to prepare 510 sandwiches for distribution to the homeless.

Psy.D. Program New Student Orientation Day 2021

Psy.D. Program Holds New Student Orientation Day

On August 31, Holy Family University’s Doctor of Psychology in Counseling Psychology (Psy.D.) program held the Psy.D. Program New Student Orientation Day, its first on-campus event since the COVID-19 pandemic started. The event was created to welcome the 2021 Psy.D. cohort to the program.

Sister Maureen Honored by the Council of the City of Philadelphia

Philadelphia City Council Passes Resolution Honoring President Emerita Sister Maureen McGarrity, CSFN, Ph.D.

Earlier this year, the Council of the City of Philadelphia adopted a resolution honoring the leadership of Holy Family University President Emerita Sister Maureen McGarrity, CSFN, Ph.D. The resolution recognizes Sister Maureen’s lifelong dedication and service to the area, including attending both Nazareth Academy High School and Holy Family; joining the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth; teaching at St. Katherine of Siena, Nazareth Academy, and Holy Family University; and leading Holy Family University as President from July 2014 to July 2021.

Blessed Martyrs of Nowogródek

Remembering the Blessed Martyrs of Nowogródek

Holy Family University is a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. On August 1, 1943, Blessed Mary Stella and her Ten Companions, Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, sacrificed their lives in Nowogródek in occupied Poland (present-day Navahrudak, Belarus).

Nursing Education Building

New Roles in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences

Following the previously announced appointment of Margaret Harkins, DNP, MBE, GNP-BC, RN-BC as Dean of the School of Nursing & Health Sciences, there will be a restructuring of the leadership of the School of Nursing & Health Sciences, effective August 1, 2021. The following individuals now have new titles:

Tenae Gentner ’20

Recent Alum Celebrates Celebrates Commencement... and an Engagement!

All Holy Family University Class of 2021 and 2020 graduates had reason to celebrate during last weekend's Commencement ceremonies, but Tenae Gentner ’20 had an extra reason to be filled with joy – just minutes after she crossed the stage during Commencement, her boyfriend of two years, Shawn, proposed to her.

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COBOL and CTL Continue to Develop Online Teaching Resources for Holy Family University

Just over one year ago, Holy Family University transitioned its operations to an entirely virtual setting as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which entailed a massive effort to assess critical needs, source technology, and infrastructure, train and educate faculty and students on the University’s plans, communicate clear guidance, and receive user insights through comprehensive messaging and surveying.

SEPCHE Honors Conference

Holy Family Students Showcase Work at 2021 SEPCHE Honors Conference

On March 27, Holy Family University hosted the 2021 SEPCHE Honors Conference, a virtual edition of the annual education showcase event for students at the eight independent schools of higher education in southeastern Pennsylvania that constitute SEPCHE (Southeastern Pennsylvania Consortium for Higher Education).

Canvases on Campus

Holy Family University Exhibits its Mission Core Values of Service with Canvases on Campus

As one of the Mission Core Values of Holy Family University, Service is a principle of significant importance to the University community. Recently, the University has spotlighted the service of the Holy Family University community by affixing canvases in buildings on both the Philadelphia and Newtown campuses featuring photos of students, staff, and faculty engaging in service projects.

Pennsylvania Career Development Association

Careers and Career Development Counseling: One Year After Onset of the Pandemic

When the worsening COVID-19 pandemic resulted in many states and cities implementing policies to restrict in-person work for many employees across the world beginning in early 2020, both employees and employers had to quickly adapt to fundamental changes in the way their profession operated and readjusting their traditional work-life balance.

The Pennsylvania Psychologist

Graduate Psychology Students and Professor Publish and Present Research on Eating Disorder Treatment Challenges

A research team of four graduate Counseling Psychology students in the Holy Family University School of Arts & Sciences, along with Melinda Parisi Cummings, Ph.D., assistant professor of Psychology, published an article in the February 2021 edition of The Pennsylvania Psychologist, the professional publication of the Pennsylvania Psychological Association.

Second-Degree BSN Evenings + Weekends Program

School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions Celebrates First Cohort Completing Second-Degree BSN Evenings + Weekends Program

Seven School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions students—Kathryn Carlomagno, Lauren Chambers ’11, Angelina Chertik, James Dollings, Allison Lisacchi, Krista Mora, and Sophia Winchester—are the first cohort of nursing students to complete Holy Family University’s Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing Evenings + Weekends 22-Month Cohort.

Nursing Education Building

School of Nursing Awarded 2020 Esther Elliott Martin Scholarship

Two Holy Family University School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions students in the Second Degree BSN Daytime 14-Month Cohort program, Komiyo Adewoyin and Francesca Gallo, have been selected to receive awards from the 2020 Esther Elliott Martin Scholarship from Portage Learning, an online learning platform.

LiveSafe

Holy Family University to Utilize LiveSafe App for TigerAlerts and Safety Information

Holy Family University is excited to announce that it has launched a new free app, LiveSafe, designed to keep the University community safe. The University's current system for safety and weather alerts, known as "TigerAlerts" will be retired May 1, 2021, so it is important that all members of the Holy Family University community download the new LiveSafe app to stay informed and up to date.

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2021 Taylor Awards to Fund 3 Key Research and Publication Initiatives

Six Holy Family University professors are recipients of the 2021 Ray and Mildred Taylor Awards to fund three important research and publication initiatives. This year’s honorees will pursue research initiatives in the areas of providing postpartum psychosocial support, developing strategic plans for the School of Business, and creating early childhood education mentorship programs.

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Holy Family Receives Grant to Fund Smoking Education Initiative

The Clean Air Council and the Philadelphia Department of Health have awarded a $4,000 grant to Holy Family University to evaluate our current smoking policy, and develop a campus-wide educational program regarding smoking, vaping, and healthy stress management options.

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Pair of Professors Awarded Grant for Teaching Psychology Skills

Drs. Alexa Bonacquisti and Patrick McElwaine, Assistant Professors in the Graduate Counseling Psychology program, were recently awarded a $1,500 Instructional Resource Award grant from the Society for Teaching of Psychology, a division of the American Psychological Association, to develop modules for teaching counseling skills.

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Holy Family University’s School of Education Awarded $97,000 Grant for Blended-Learning Program

Holy Family University’s School of Education was awarded a two-year grant for $97,000 through the William Penn Foundation that will be used to convert the undergraduate PK-4 program to blended, online, evening, and on-site delivery formats to increase access for non-traditional students who are currently in the early childhood workforce and want to obtain their degree or certification.

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Nursing Students Run Poverty Simulation

On December 10, 2015, students in Holy Family University's fast-track, second-degree nursing program experienced a nursing simulation at the Holy Family University-Newtown location that focused on the effects that poverty has on their patient populations.

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Sister Marcella Louise Wallowicz Receives Grant to Research Employee Productivity

Sister Marcella Louise Wallowicz, CSFN, Ph.D., assistant dean in the School of Arts & Sciences and associate professor of Mathematics, was the recipient of a competitive grant for summer research facilitated through the generosity of the Clare Boothe Luce (CBL) Program of The Henry Luce Foundation, which supports women majoring in the physical sciences, mathematics, computer science, and engineering fields.

Getting to Know: Dr. Diane Elliott

With 20 years of education experience spanning from K-12 through colleges and universities, Dr. Diane Elliott joins the School of Education to provide her expertise to the future teachers of tomorrow.

Faculty Present at Teaching and Learning Assessment Conference

Five Holy Family University representatives—Dr. Elizabeth Jones, Dr. Dianna Sand, Dr. Bernice Purcell, Dr. Janet McNellis and Dr. Lisa D. Belfield—will attend and present at the 2016 Annual Conference on Teaching and Learning Assessment from September 7-9, hosted by Drexel University.

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Getting to Know: Angela Cutchineal '06

Angela Cutchineal '06 returns to her alma mater as Director of Experiential Learning, helping students achieve internships and co-ops in their desired fields.

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Getting to Know: Dr. Freda Ginsberg

As the new Director of the Counseling Psychology graduate program, Dr. Freda Ginsberg is excited to share ideas and best practices with her students, using her personal experiences as reference.

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Turkish-Muslim Scholar Visits HFU to Speak About Islam

Holy Family University will welcome Ferhan Tunagar, a Turkish Muslim who teaches at Rutgers University and is a Ph.D. candidate in Anthropology at the University of Pennsylvania, for a presentation on Islam on Friday, April 15, from 11:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. in the ETC Auditorium.

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Holy Family University to Participate in March for Life

Holy Family University will once again participate in the March for Life event, a demonstration in Washington D.C. recognizing “the more than 55 million Americans who have been lost to abortion,” according to the organizations' website.

Holy Family University Athletics Logos

Holy Family Unveils New Athletic Logos

The Holy Family University Department of Athletics unveiled its new brand identity, including new primary athletics logos and wordmark, on Tuesday night during halftime of the women's basketball game versus the University of the Sciences.

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2014 MONEY® Magazine Value All Star!

MONEY® magazine launched its inaugural survey results regarding "Best Colleges," and Holy Family University was humbled to be highly ranked on two of their lists: The 25 Colleges That Add the Most Value (#4) and The 25 Best Colleges That You Can Actually Get Into (#6).

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Sister Francesca Onley, CSFN, Ray Angelo, and Anthony Szuszczewicz Honored with Holy Family University Corporate Leadership Awards

Holy Family University’s long-time President, Sister Francesca Onley, CSFN, was honored by Holy Family University with a 2014 Corporate Leadership Award on the eve of her retirement. Ray Angelo, President and CEO of Westinghouse Lighting, and Anthony J. Szuszczewicz, President and CEO of Polonia Bank, were also honored with 2014 Corporate Leadership Awards.

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Active Shooter Simulation on Holy Family University Campus

An active shooter simulation drill replicating a “hospital situation” was held on the campus of Holy Family University on March 28, in partnership with Homeland Security, the FBI, Philadelphia Police Department SWAT, Crime Scene Forensic Processing, and the Philadelphia Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Services.

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Sister Francesca Announces Her Retirement

Sister Francesca Onley, Ph.D., CSFN, announced her retirement today from the presidency of Holy Family University after 32 years, marking the longest tenure of any university president in Philadelphia. She will step down officially June 30.

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Gerald Wutkowski '13 Wins Study Abroad Scholarship

Holy Family University graduate Gerald Wutkowski '13 was awarded a scholarship from the Kosciuszko Foundation’s Year Abroad Program and is spending a year abroad in Poland at the Center of Polish Language and Culture in the World at the Jagiellonian University in Cracow.

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Professor Explores Dichotomy of Kardashian Legacy in American Pop Culture

Reality TV researcher and analyst, Amanda Scheiner McClain, Ph.D., is the author of the book Keeping Up the Kardashian Brand: Celebrity, Materialism, and Sexuality (2013, Lexington Books), which analyzes how the Kardashians are a paradigm of new and traditional media convergence, highlighting the confluence of branding, commerce, celebrity, and sexuality.

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School of Nursing to Run Mass Simulation with Local Police and Fire Departments

Holy Family University’s School of Nursing and Allied Health Professions will join forces with Lower Makefield Police Department, the Yardley-Makefield Fire Company, the Langhorne-Middleton Fire Company (Hazardous Materials Trailer), and the Newtown Emergency Services Department to run a mass casualty simulation drill on the Holy Family University-Newtown campus on October 25 at 9 a.m.

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Students to Build Homes on Spring Break

Students from Holy Family University’s Habitat for Humanity chapter will build and renovate houses in New Mexico during Alternative Spring Break this year March 4 through 8.

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University Publications Win Regional Awards

Holy Family University has won three 2013 CUPPIE Awards for Creative Excellence in Marketing and Communications in Education from CUPRAP, the Association for Communicators in Education, a professional organization with 100 member institutions in the Mid-Atlantic region.