A Resolution honoring the accomplishments of Holy Family University President Sister Francesca Onley.

WHEREAS, Sister Francesca Onley, PhD, CSFN, was inaugurated as Holy Family University's fourth President and Chief Administrative Officer on November 22, 1981; and

WHEREAS, Sister Onley was born in Philadelphia's Mayfair section on March 4, 1933 and joined the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in 1950; and

WHEREAS, Sister Onley is a member of the International Association of University Presidents and is the former chair of its Commission on Disarmament Education, Conflict Resolution and Peace; and

WHEREAS, As university president, Sister Onley's special interests included international education and business partnerships, which led to programs teaching English to seminarians in Vietnam and, in conjunction with Stanford University, teaching children in Africa; and

WHEREAS, Sister Onley's vision and leadership resulted in the exponential growth of Holy Family University, including the construction of the Campus Center in 1988, the University building in Newtown in1997, the Education and Technology Center in 2005, and the Garden Residence in 2006; and

WHEREAS, During Sister Onley's tenure, Holy Family University changed from a college to a university, doubled its overall student enrollment, grew a marginal endowment to one of $7 million, and added sites in both Newtown and Bensalem; and

WHEREAS, In 2014 Sister Onley announced her retirement from the presidency of Holy Family University after 32 years, marking her the longest tenured university president in Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, Holy Family University, which was founded in 1954 by the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, is a premier Catholic university with a main campus in Northeast Philadelphia and locations in Bensalem and Newtown that offers purpose-driven, engaged students the knowledge, values, and skills to help them find their place and purpose in today's workplace and world;

now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Council of the City of Philadelphia conveys its deepest gratitude to Sister Francesca Onley for her distinguished service to Holy Family University, and congratulate her on the occasion of her retirement.

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