Notre Dame College Installs New President

SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio - 2 November 2003 - Dr. Andrew P. Roth was inaugurated Notre Dame College's thirteenth president this afternoon in the College's Joseph Keller Athletic Center in South Euclid.

Board Chair Kathleen B. Burke officiated at the ceremony, with Bishop Roger W. Gries, O.S.B.; Sr. Melannie Svoboda, SND, Provincial Superior; dignitaries from other colleges and universities; and alumni representatives from each graduating class participating.

Ms. Burke and Marilyn Cunin, vice chair of Notre Dame's Board of Directors made the ceremonial presentation of the Presidential Medallion. A reception for the 400 attendees followed the ceremony.

Roth used the 200th anniversary of the voyage of Lewis and Clark as a metaphor for Notre Dame College. "On its voyage the College has met generous support, blessedly few hostiles, a few who thought it crazy to embark on coeducation so late in its history…before we reach or journey's end, our Western Ocean, as one of the finest, small, Catholic, residential liberal arts Colleges in the Great Lakes region." According to Roth, the College's "voyage of discovery began and its core values came from the Sisters of Notre Dame who came to Cleveland from Germany in the 19th century. The College avows that it is 'one who serves' the underserved and strives to change the world one student at a time." Roth's goal is to increase enrollment by more than 200 students per year over the next six years.

Dr. Roth arrived at Notre Dame in July, after a 29-year career at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania where he distinguished himself as an administrator and faculty member tenured in three disciplines. A graduate of John Carroll University, he received his master's degrees from Case Western Reserve University and Gannon University, and a doctorate in Public Policy and Higher Education Finance from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Roth, a native of Canton, is married to Judy, recently retired investment advisor. His three grown children are Samantha (married to Gerry Balbier), Paul (married to Kate Murcko), and David.

The Roths reside in Cleveland Heights.