Spring Hill College recently announced the hiring of Mary Van Brunt, who will serve as the first woman president in the school’s 192-year history.
Brunt will become the 39th president starting in January 2023. Brunt is currently the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Gwynedd Mercy University in Gwynedd Valley, Pennsylvania.
The school held a nationwide search for the position. According to the school, “The purpose of the committee is to lead and manage the search process and, with the assistance of the College’s consultant partners from AGB Search, to identify, recruit and recommend to the Board of Trustees the strongest possible candidates for the presidency.”
“I am delighted to have been chosen to lead Spring Hill College,” Van Brunt said in a statement. “I look forward to connecting with the Spring Hill community and carrying out the centuries-old Jesuit tradition of caring for the intellectual, spiritual, and social growth of our future servant leaders. The mission coupled with the liberal arts education resonates with me and aligns with my Catholic faith and personal values.”
E. Joseph Lee, II, Ph.D. announced his retirement in January.
“This decision has not been an easy one, as Spring Hill has been such an important part of my life during the last three and a half years,” Lee said in January. “The students, faculty, staff, and the entire SHC community are absolutely the best! Now is a good time as the College is positioned for future growth and prosperity. It is with that in mind that I feel now is the time to prepare for new leadership.”
Spring Hill College was founded in 1830. It is the oldest Catholic college in the Southeast and the third-oldest Jesuit college in the U.S.
Jack McKinney, chairman of the Spring Hill College board of trustees, thanked Lee for his service to the school.
“After carefully vetting more than three dozen pre-screened candidates, we are delighted that Dr. Van Brunt has graciously accepted the offer to become our next President. We are grateful to Dr. Lee for his vision and his leadership,” said McKinney. “He led us through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, helped the College develop new and award-winning academic majors, and strengthened community partnerships with the military, local businesses, and schools.”
Van Brunt has over 20 years of leadership experience in Catholic high education. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Ursinus College in Collegeville, Pa., a Master of Business Administration in Accounting from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, Pa., and a Ph.D. in Economics from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa.
She is relocating to Mobile with her husband, Chris, and their dog, Stella.
