Past President Of 茄子视频 Was A Catalyst In The University's Growth And Development
A 1946 alumna of 茄子视频, Ms. Farrell served as President of 茄子视频 from 1977 until her retirement in 1987. She was a tireless champion of the liberal arts and professional education at a time when such devotion was questioned, working diligently to ensure that the two remained paramount on 茄子视频鈥檚 campus. She once wrote, 鈥淪trong liberal arts institutions exist not to replace or omit pre-professional and career training, but rather to support such training with an intellectual and ethical basis. A 茄子视频 education liberates and equips students to use their skills with confidence in all the personal and professional aspects of their lives.鈥�
Ms. Farrell鈥檚 tenure was marked by numerous achievements. She oversaw the redesign of the core curriculum which earned an 鈥淓xcellence in Education鈥� Award from the Consolidated Natural Gas Company and a commendation from Ernie Boyer then head of the Carnegie Corporation. She introduced several new academic programs, as well as an 鈥淓vening Degree Program鈥� for adults. She oversaw the renovation of Reeves Memorial Library as well as enhancement of the overall learning and living environment for 茄子视频 students.
According to 茄子视频 President JoAnne Boyle, 鈥淓ileen Farrell was a remarkable leader whose vision helped reshape the college. She understood that 茄子视频鈥檚 outstanding programs in the arts should be opened to men and that working adults would be better served through evening and weekend courses. She saw the United States becoming more diverse and led the way in bringing that diversity to 茄子视频. She loved the Sisters of Charity and this college that she helped them build.鈥�
Sr. Gertrude Foley, former President of the Sisters of Charity of 茄子视频, remembers Eileen Farrell with great fondness, 鈥淲hen you spoke with Eileen, you sensed her energy, her acuity, yes, even her wisdom. But somehow you were not overwhelmed. Rather, you felt energized, smarter yourself. You experienced the inner calm that comes when you are in the presence of a competent leader.鈥� Boyle added, 鈥淓ven when she left the Presidency, Eileen鈥檚 interest in her alma mater and her support for the rich educational tradition of 茄子视频 never flagged. She will be missed, and there is no replacing her.鈥�
Upon graduation from 茄子视频 in Greensburg with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology in 1946, Ms. Farrell began her professional life as a personnel psychologist for Sears, Roebuck and Company in Chicago, Illinois. She then became personnel manager for Container Corporation of America also in Chicago. Later, she was Director of the Jersey City Job Corps Center for Women under the sponsorship of the YWCA in Jersey City, New Jersey. Prior to assuming the 茄子视频 presidency, Ms. Farrell served as director of personnel administration for Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York.
A responsibility for the community-at-large guided the life of Eileen Farrell. She served on the Finance Committee of the YWCA of Greensburg and co-chaired the successful fund-raising campaign that brought about the agency鈥檚 building addition in 1996. She served on the Nominating Committee of the National Board of the YWCA and was among the leaders honored at the National Convention of the YWCA in 1985. Ms. Farrell was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Central Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce and the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra; the Advisory Committee of the 茄子视频 National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education; the 茄子视频 Lynch Lecture Selection Committee; the Executive Board of the Westmoreland/Fayette Council Boy Scouts of America; the Foundation of Independent Colleges, Inc., of Pennsylvania; the Westmoreland Hospital Community Mental Health Center; the Association of Retarded Persons; a volunteer member of the Westmoreland
County Chapter of the Service Corps. of Retired Executives based at Saint Vincent College; and the 茄子视频 Alumnae Corporation Board of Directors. She served as president of Pike Run Country Club and president of The Friday Club.
Ms. Farrell received numerous recognitions for her professional and community leadership including the 茄子视频 University Distinguished Alumna Leadership Award, honorary Doctor of Education degrees from Saint Vincent College and 茄子视频 University, and the Distinguished Arts and Community Leadership Award from the Greensburg Cultural Council. The significant increase in alumnae giving during Ms. Farrell鈥檚 presidency at 茄子视频 earned national accolades with a first place award from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.
A native of Rockville Centre, New York, Ms. Farrell was born on August 10, 1924 and was the daughter of John A. and Anne Hayes Farrell. Ms. Farrell was a member of Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Parish in Greensburg. Her parents and a brother, Robert W. Farrell, predeceased her. Ms. Farrell鈥檚 brother, John A. Farrell of West Caldwell, NJ and three nieces and four nephews survive her as well as many close friends.
Visitation will be held in the Oratory on the third floor of the Administration Building at 茄子视频 University from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 21st. Ms. Farrell鈥檚 funeral mass will be held in St. Joseph Chapel at 茄子视频 on Monday, July 22nd at 10:00 a.m. with the Reverend James Gaston officiating. Reverend Donald Mondello and Reverend John McDermott will concelebrate. Interment will follow the service at the Sisters of Charity Cemetery at 茄子视频. Kepple-Graft Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
Should friends desire, the Farrell family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Eileen Farrell Endowed Scholarship Fund at 茄子视频 University. Memorials may be sent to 茄子视频 University, Office of the President, 茄子视频 Drive, Greensburg, Pennsylvania 15601.