Jacob Segal introduced this week’s speaker, Patricia Maguire Meservey, President of Salem State University. Jacob said that his first vote as a new Trustee of SSU was to vote for Patricia as President. Patricia is the 13th President of SSU. Under her leadership, SSU has shown an increased academic strength in the faculty, it is a top producer of Fulbright Scholars, has the highest number of veteran students of any Massachusetts university, and has seen a marked increase in the number of students who want to live on campus. Patricia is Chair of the Salem Partnership, and is on many prestigious boards. Patricia came from Suffolk University where she was Academic Vice-President and Provost.
President Meservey highlighted three areas of interest to the Rotary: 1) The economic impact of the University on the City of Salem, 2) the emphasis the University places on community service, and 3) physical developments on campus.
- Economic Impact
In 2010 the University generated $562M in direct and indirect spending in Massachusetts; $296M of that in Essex County and $104M of that in Salem.
The University has contributed to the social and cultural aspects of the community as well. Examples are the speech by Lincoln Playwright Tony Cushner as part of the 31 year old Speaker Series and the visit by 35 visitors from the Netherlands who exchanged ideas about education and culture.
SSU helps prepare students for Massachusetts workplaces since most students are from Massachusetts and remain here.
The Enterprise Center of SSU provides seminars to area entrepreneurs, as well as in-depth courses. The Center brings CEO’s in the region together and provides mentorships. The Center believes it is important to instill a sense of entrepreneurship and intraprenership among students not only in business classes, but also in the arts and sciences.
- Community Service
Patricia mentioned that Rotarian Adria Leach is Co-Chair of the Service Learning Committee. Over 1600 students last year engaged in academic service learning with an additional 830 students engaged in independent community service projects.
SSU has been involved in depth with the Salem Public Schools. Over the past three summers the School of education has run summer academic programs at the Bentley School.
Translation services through the World Language Department have provided services at the Salem Witch House and at Parent-teacher Conferences.
SSU students have redesigned the Lifebridge logo and encourage voter registration particularly in the Point Neighborhood.
- Physical Developments on Campus
New facilities include the following:
2013- Berry Learning Center which is accessible to the public and includes a Children’s Library.
Gassett Fitness Center
Salem Diner, which is open to the public and received the Readers Choice Award for the Best Breakfast in Salem.
2015- Viking Hall which will be a residence for 350 students.
The Main Stage Theater will be upgraded with practice rooms and better facilities.
The Synagogue on Lafayette Street will be refitted and used by the School of Social Work and the English as a Second Language Department.
The SSU Master Plan was finished last year with alook forward 20-40 years. The plan is on the University's website so that people can see the full scope of the projects and how they fit programmatically. This plan includes a parking garage, new science facilities, and a revamped Ellison Campus Center.
Patricia concluded her presentation by speaking of the future of SSU. It has grown in stature but the enrollment has remained constant over the past seven years. There will be modest growth over the next few years, mainly in the graduate school area. The school hopes to increase its connection with the community and enjoy good relationships especially with the South Salem Neighborhood.
