The 2016-17 academic year at Marian University holds additional inspiration this year for Marian University and for the Fond du Lac community. The university welcomed Andrew P. Manion, Ph.D., as Marian’s 16th president. Dr. Manion was officially inaugurated as president of the University on September 24, 2016.
A lifelong educator, Dr. Manion’s background in higher education includes having served at Aurora University in Illinois for 17 years in a variety of roles. Manion has a Master of Arts in Psychology and a Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology, both from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Saint Norbert College in DePere, Wisconsin. His personal and professional experiences have led Manion to embrace the Catholic heritage and traditions of Marian University.
“The challenges facing higher education in general are certainly challenges that Marian is facing – value, recruitment, financial, etc. There’s a level of skepticism about higher education out there that we need to work to overcome. Today, people are less confident in higher education than they once were, and are more cautious about investing their money and time in earning a degree,” said Manion. “We need to overcome this by communicating how a college degree – specifically a Marian education – is a quality investment of both time and money.”
“I am encouraged when I look at both our current students and the success stories of our alumni/ae. It’s inspiring to see the possibilities that come from earning a degree here,” added Manion. “The value of a private, liberal arts education is the opportunity for students to develop as critical thinkers and learning to become adaptable, especially with a broad knowledge base in the arts.”
As Marian celebrates its 80th anniversary of educational excellence during this academic year, Manion is continuing to build upon the university’s strong academic and student-based programming.