Meservey sworn in at Salem State

SALEM – Patricia Maguire Meservey was officially sworn in as the 13th president of Salem State College Friday, promising to continue the institution’s efforts to add a doctoral program and achieve university status.The former Provost and Academic Vice President of Suffolk University, Meservey was unanimously elected by the college’s Board of Trustees in July of 2007, replacing retiring president Nancy Harrington.Since taking over last summer, Meservey has focused much of her attention on improving the campus through capitol projects and by obtaining university status.Throughout the inauguration ceremonies, speakers, including Meservey herself, spoke of a vision for the future, and moving Salem State forward in a world where having an education has never been more important.By working with legislators and college officials, Meservey and her staff are working to add a PhD program in both nursing and education, and transforming Salem State College into Salem State University.”We want students to come here with a chance to learn, teach and be heard,” she said. “Education is the most powerful tonic ever created. It is a tonic that can change an entire life and help people in so many ways.”Another point of focus for the school going forward will be ensuring that all of their students, especially low-income families, have an equal opportunity chance to attend college.Meservey called on alumni and private donors to step up and donate to the school so that it may offer more scholarships and financial aid to students in a struggling economy.”There is an alarming number of people unable to pursue the life changing experience of attending college simply because of cost,” she said. “Those families, more than anyone, know the impact that education can have on their lives. We need financial aid to reduce this economic discrimination, and from this day forward Salem State will dedicate itself to reducing the need for tuition and fees for students. We must step up and eliminate the true barrier that is keeping children from the education that is rightfully theirs.”With Governor Deval Patrick and Congressman John Tierney in attendance, Meservey touched on the importance of civic responsibility at the college level. She vowed to open a Civic Engagement building on school grounds, and urged all students and members of the community to become involved with local and state government.One particular bill of interest for SSC is Patrick’s recent $2 billion capitol improvement bill proposed for all state colleges and universities. If the bill were to pass, Salem State would receive $90 million for a new science building and library.Kicking off the ceremony with his own kind words for Meservey, Patrick spoke of the importance of Massachusetts residents receiving a proper education in a global world.”Both China and India are turning out engineers at an outstanding rate, and it is our ambition not to simply adjust to this fundamental change, but to become engines of growth and economic justice,” he said. “For over 154 years Salem State has earned its place in a tradition of excellence.”Meservey was welcomed with several standing ovations from faculty, staff and supporters throughout the ceremony, which featured speeches from Patrick, Tierney, State Rep. John Keenan and several members of the College’s board and alumni associations.The Ford School Chorus from Lynn also performed at the event.For all of her ideas for the future, Meservey made it clear that she was heading in to everything humbled and ready to work with all of her colleagues to achieve the goal together.”The spirit of collaboration is alive and well at Salem State,” she said. “there are many great challenges that lie before us, and together we can meet and resolve them. I firmly believe that if we invest in the future it will be ours, our children’s and our grandchildren’s.”