Van Brunt installed as college's president

Information courtesy of Spring Hill College 
MOBILE — Dr. Mary H. Van Brunt was officially installed  as the 39th president of Spring Hill College during inauguration activities March 16-17 at the college.
The historic event marks the beginning of a new era, with Van Brunt being the first female in the College’s 193-year history, to serve in the top leadership role.  
Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi attended a Commissioning Mass celebrated by Fr. Thomas Greene, S.J., on March 16 at St. Joseph Chapel. The inauguration ceremony was March 17 in the Arthur R. Outlaw Recreation Center. 
Van Brunt began serving on Jan. 1. She brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in Catholic higher education. She also spent 12 years in the banking, securities and pharmaceutical industries.
 She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa., a Master of Business Administration in Accounting from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and a PhD in Economics from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa.
Van Brunt served as the Dean of Academic Affairs at Cabrini University, a private Catholic school in Radnor, Pa., and worked with department chairs to determine which academic programs belonged in which schools as the institution transitioned from college to university. She ultimately became the founding Dean of the School of Business, Arts, and Media.
In 2018, Van Brunt became Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Gwynedd Mercy University, another Catholic university in Pennsylvania. 
“Both Cabrini and Gwynedd Mercy are small Catholic universities with a mission focused on social justice, very similar to the Jesuit mission at SHC,” she said. “My 11 years as a faculty member, and 10 years in administrative roles as Associate Dean, Dean and Provost gave me many experiences with new program development, academic program assessment, faculty collaboration, strategic planning and financial planning.  
“All of these will assist me with the strategic priorities at Spring Hill College.”