FORT WAYNE, Ind.—The University of Saint Francis will inaugurate Sr. Maria Gemma Salyer, OSF, as its 12th president on Thursday, Sept. 3 in the Hutzell Athletic Center.
The inauguration will take place at 3 p.m. A reception will follow at 4 p.m. in Brookside.
Sr. Maria Gemma assumed the role of president on July 1, succeeding Dr. Lance Richey, who served as president for three years. Sr. Maria Gemma is the first member of the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration to serve as president since Sr. Elise Kriss, OSF, retired in 2020.
Sr. Maria Gemma had served as executive vice president since January. Prior to that, she was the vice president for Catholic culture and student life and dean of students. She was also the university’s Title IX coordinator and a member of president’s cabinet. She served on the Saint Francis Board of Trustees before joining the campus full time in 2023.
Sr. Maria Gemma holds a doctorate in educational administration from Indiana State University, a master’s degree in philosophy from Franciscan University of Steubenville and a bachelor’s degree in theology from Ohio Dominican University. Her previous appointments included serving in campus ministry at Saint Francis, women’s ministry at the University of Notre Dame, assistant director of vocations for the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, and as an educator and assistant campus minister at Lafayette Central Catholic High School.
Media wishing to cover the inauguration or arrange an interview with Sr. Maria Gemma Salyer should contact Saint Francis Communications Director Reggie Hayes at 260-399-7700, ext. 6413 or email rhayes@sf.edu.
Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the University of Saint Francis offers more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs. The academic structure at Saint Francis offers seven pathways: Humanities, Faith and Liberal Arts; Allied Health; Business and Leadership; Creative Arts and Digital Media; Education, Human Services and Community Care; Nursing; and Sciences and Medical Studies. In addition to its traditional programs, Saint Francis delivers workforce development healthcare programs in Fort Wayne, Crown Point, Gas City, Indianapolis, Lafayette and online. Saint Francis Downtown houses the music technology program while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. A National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Five-Star Champion of Character institution, Saint Francis has 21 athletic programs boasting three individual and four team NAIA national championships. More than 1,900 students from a broad geographic region attend Saint Francis.