November 3, 2008 – Jersey City, NJ – Dr. Eugene J. Cornacchia’s first year as the president of Saint Peter’s College has come to a close. Inaugurated as the College’s first lay president on October 20, 2007, Dr. Cornacchia has infused the campus with new energy, improving academic, environmental and spiritual elements of the Saint Peter’s community and curriculum. Under his leadership, Saint Peter’s received the most applicants in the College’s 136-year history for the 2008-2009 academic year, and the College is now housing a record number of students on its Jersey City campus, with the highest full-time student enrollment in eight years.
“The Jesuit traditions have been of tremendous influence my entire life,” Dr. Cornacchia commented. “I follow in the footsteps of many great men who have served in this role since Saint Peter’s was established in 1872; with the help of a committed faculty and staff, we will continue to shape and strengthen the lives of our students.”
In response to the needs of the evolving global marketplace, programs in science, communication, nursing and business have been expanded at the College under Dr. Cornacchia’s purview. The School of Nursing was established at Saint Peter’s, as was the department of applied science and technology that spearheads national microplasma research. A biotechnology major, and a partnership with New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), allowing students to receive a dual degree in physics and electrical engineering, has brought Saint Peter’s to the forefront of research and technology.
A master’s degree in special education, an Asian studies major and minor, an Africana studies minor, a journalism minor, and multiple concentrations have also been added to Saint Peter’s curriculum throughout the past year. The College is also offering a six-year combined degree program: a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology or a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Saint Peter’s, and a Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Seton Hall University.
As a former faculty member and chair of Saint Peter’s political science department, Dr. Cornacchia has focused on improving faculty life at the College. Dr. Cornacchia created the Faculty Research Associate program to increase opportunities for research and scholarship, and he expanded professional development workshops. Additionally, 17 new faculty members have been hired throughout the past year.
As the College’s first lay president, Dr. Cornacchia has remained committed to the mission and ideals at Saint Peter’s. Among multiple initiatives to advance the College’s Ignatian identity, he funded the College’s participation in three organizations: the Ignatian Solidarity Network that facilitates the effectiveness of existing social justice and advocacy efforts at Jesuit institutions; the Jesuit Universities Humanitarian Action Network (JUHAN), a student conference that enhances the effectiveness of responses to world crises, and the Ignatian College Program that develops lay partners committed to assuming leadership within Jesuit higher education. In addition, he created the vice president of mission and ministry position.
Among Dr. Cornacchia’s many accomplishments is a $5 million capital improvement plan to beautify and renovate Saint Peter’sfacilities, including the development of garden space and repair of campus buildings. Nearly $1 million was invested in on-campus security upgrades, including electronic access to buildings and an emergency text message alert system.
Dr. Cornacchia is committed to reducing Saint Peter’s carbon footprint, ensuring the College’s early adoption of environmentally friendly practices by signing the American College and University Climate Commitment Initiative. Campus-wide green practices now include purchasing recycled paper for printer and copy machines, as well as printing the College magazine and all admissions collateral on paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Additionally, the College will be saving 15,000 gallons of water per year with the installation of energy efficient faucets, washers and driers in residence halls.
Expanding the role of athletics in campus life is another of Dr. Cornacchia’s priorities. In the past year, he increased funding for personnel and operations in the department of athletics. And, for the first time in College history, a Board of Trustees athletics committee was formed.
Dr. Cornacchia has initiated the engagement of the local community in the life of the campus by establishing the Hudson Symphony Orchestra as the new Symphony-in-Residence and multiple art exhibitions on campus.
As president, Dr. Cornacchia has taken on active leadership roles in organizations such as the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce, Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, and the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), among others. He is also credited with being a founding member of the Jersey City Economic Club, an organization that facilitates economic growth to benefit residents of Jersey City.
# # end # #
Saint Peter’s College is the Jesuit College of New Jersey. Founded in 1872, Saint Peter’s has an enrollment of approximately 3,000 students in undergraduate and graduate programs. The main campus is located in Jersey City with a branch campus in Englewood Cliffs, NJ, with courses at various corporate sites, at the Jersey City waterfront and in South Amboy, NJ.