Dear Saint Mary’s Community,
After much prayer and careful discernment, I, along with the Board of Trustees, have concluded that we must move forward with the difficult but necessary consolidation of certain cabinet-level positions. Effective Friday, May 30, we will conclude the roles of Vice President for Advancement and Vice President for Mission and Ministry.
This decision was not reached lightly, and I am deeply mindful of its impact on two cherished community members. Dr. Marisa Naryka and Mr. Gary Klein have served Saint Mary’s with dedication and grace. Their contributions reflect a profound love for our university, its mission, and — above all — our students. I want to express my profound appreciation for their contribution to Saint Mary’s.
Dr. Naryka has served since 2018 and has been a steadfast presence in both Student Affairs as well as in Mission and Ministry. Her leadership has been instrumental in strengthening and advancing our Lasallian Catholic identity. She has inspired others through her witness and has been a beacon of faith and service. Mr. Klein, an alumnus of Saint Mary’s, returned to serve in 2021 and has led our advancement efforts with distinction. Under his leadership, we are nearing the successful completion of Rooted in Faith: Growing Our Future, a comprehensive campaign that has become the most ambitious in our history.
In their words and actions, Dr. Naryka and Mr. Klein have modeled the spirit of Saint John Baptist de La Salle: a commitment to community, faith, and service. Please join me in offering them our heartfelt thanks and prayers as they discern their next steps.
The responsibilities of these positions will be incorporated into other areas of university leadership, with our focus on financial stewardship and institutional sustainability. Advancement and Alumni Relations will now report to Ms. Michelle Rovang, who will be the interim Vice President for University Relations, which will continue to include Marketing and Communications. The Director of Campus Ministry and the work of Mission and Ministry will report directly to me, along with the Endowed Co-Chairs of Hendrickson Institute for Ethical Leadership. Further details of the leadership structure will be forthcoming in a future Cardinal Update.
Thank you for your ongoing prayers and unwavering devotion to Saint Mary’s mission.
Yours in Christ and the spirit of Saint John Baptist de La Salle,
Very Rev. James P. Burns, IVD, Ph.D.
President
