By: Kristen Tomaiolo
Posted In: News
Photo credit: SALVEToday
Sister Lucille McKillop
Dr. Lucille McKillop, RSM, fifth president of Salve Regina and the longest-serving president in university history, died Thursday night in Chicago. Sister Lucille served as president of Salve Regina from 1973 to 1994.
A memorial mass for Sister Lucille will be held at the University Chapel on March 5 at 5 p.m. “Her dedication to education and the traditions of the Sisters of Mercy contributed significantly to those traditions continuing to thrive on the campus of Salve Regina University. Sister Lucille worked diligently to serve the needs and interests of generations of students. The best years of her life were spent ensuring that the mission of Salve Regina University would continue..She was deeply admired and will be missed,” said President M. Therese Antone, RSM. During her 21 years as president, Sister Lucille led the university through a critical period of challenges in finances, enrollment, academic offerings and direction. When she assumed the presidency in 1973, the college of 1,000 had a $1 million deficit and an operating budget of just $1.2 million. On her 20th anniversary as president in April 1993, university trustees wrote: “Sister Lucille’s leadership has been a combination of knowledge, wisdom and faith. The trustees wished to capture the magnitude of her vision in a way that makes visible the fundamental teaching mission of the Sisters of Mercy. As a lasting commemoration of [her] educational leadership . the university library will from this day forward bear the name to honor Sister Lucille McKillop.” Sister Lucille received her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Saint Xavier University in Chicago, her master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Notre Dame and her doctorate in mathematics curriculum and instruction from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. She was awarded honorary degrees from several institutions, including Bryant College, Johnson & Wales University, Roger Williams University, Rivier College, the New England Institute of Technology, Providence College and Salve Regina. She was the recipient of numerous awards, including the Medal of Honor, Compassionate of Merit in the rank order of Officer Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem; National Conference of Christians and Jews Inc. Brotherhood Award; Mercy Higher Education Colloquium Award for Excellence and Leadership in Higher Education; Rhode Island Distinguished Service Star awarded by Gov. Bruce G. Sundlun; and the Hope Award of the Rhode Island Commission on Women. Following her tenure as president of Salve Regina, Sister Lucille became the president of the Religious Sisters of Mercy, Regional Community of Chicago.
