Title
Honoring the life and legacy of Sister Francesca Onley and acknowledging her lifelong commitment to her faith, family, and Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, Holy Family University, and Philadelphia.
Body
WHEREAS, Sister Francesca Onley was born March 4, 1933 to Edward and Marie (Rice) Onley in Philadelphia. She entered the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in 1950 and professed her final vows with the congregation in 1959; and
WHEREAS, Sister Francesca earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business from Holy Family College in 1959, a master's degree in secondary education from Marywood University in 1966 and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from Southern Illinois University in 1986; and
WHEREAS, From 1953 until 1980, Sister Francesca served at Nazareth Academy Grade School and Nazareth Academy High School, both in Philadelphia, as a faculty member, guidance counselor, assistant principal and principal; and
WHEREAS, In 1980 she was asked to serve as assistant to the president of Holy Family College under Sister Lillian Budny. The following year Sister Francesca was appointed president of the college to succeed Sister Lillian upon her retirement; and
WHEREAS, As the Northeast Philadelphia university's fourth president, she led the transformation of Holy Family College into a university in 2002 and added many educational programs including criminal justice, along with graduate and doctoral studies in education; and
WHEREAS, She directed the construction of Stevenson Lane Residence Hall in 2009, the renovation of the Nurse Education Building simulation lab in 2008, the construction of the Garden Residence Apartments in 2006, construction of the Education and Technology building in 2005, the renovation of St. Joseph Residence Hall in 2005 and construction of the university's Campus Center in 1988; and
WHEREAS, Under her guidance, the university also expanded into multiple satellite campuses. Additionally, through the Sisters of t...
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