Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   LOCAL FEATURES Friday, October 11, 2002 Jusseaume to become Walsh’s sixth president Walsh grad, former dean takes on a permanent role at ‘beacon of Catholic higher education’ By Lou Jacquet NORTH CANTON — When Richard L. Jusseaume is inaugurated as the sixth president of Walsh University here during 11 a.m. ceremonies Oct. 19 in the Physical Education Building, the university will officially gain its first president who is an alumnus of the only Catholic university in the diocese. But the man who has served there as interim president for the past year seems, in many respects, to have been born for the role. After all, he was a student at Walsh in the 1960s, taught there as a Christian Brother of Instruction and served as Dean of Student Affairs in the 1970s and 1980s, served on its board for years, and vividly recalls the days when what has become a co-ed university of 1,700 students was a small college for men with a handful of buildings in a North Canton cornfield. Jussueame will become president during a busy day that includes a 7:30 a.m. continental breakfast in the Deville Atrium of the David Campus Center; a 9 a.m. Mass in North Canton St. Paul Church (31 priests affiliated now or in the past with the university have been invited to concelebrate); the inauguration itself and a luncheon in the campus center. These events follow a 1:15 p.m. Oct. 17 event in the Science Center Auditorium, in which the topic “The Brothers of Christian Instruction and their Influence on Catholic Education” will be discussed. Remembrances of early years on campus will be the focus of a 7 p.m. discussion that evening in the Science Center. A new Prayer Garden will be dedicated on campus at 4 p.m. Oct. 18. Jusseaume comes to the Walsh presidency following 10 years as CEO of Graphic Enterprises in Canton and 17 years in education prior to that. He had not planned on becoming a university president but knew he wanted to finish his post-CEO-retirement career in some form of Catholic education. When Kenneth Hamilton, his predecessor as university president, passed away unexpectedly, Jusseaume was approached about serving as interim president and, after prayer and discussion with his wife and others, accepted for what he assumed would be a year in the role. Eventually he was talked into applying for the position of a full-time basis in order to finish several initiatives already under way on campus, including a capital campaign and numerous building projects. A third president within a year would not have been good for the university community, he acknowledged. “Having been a brother here for 10 years, I had an interest in the Brothers and their mission; I understood the traditions and what they were trying to accomplish at Walsh.” As one of the oldest alumni of the school, from the Class of 1967, and one who had been serving on campus for years, he “knew some 5,000 of the 6,000 alumni personally,” he said. In phone calls, letters and e-mails, many told him they were “enthusiastic about the fact that the institution is now old enough to have one of its own as president.” The faculty agreed, passing a resolution praising his leadership skills and calling for him to be named to the presidency on a permanent basis. In March of 2002, he was chosen for that role by an outside search committee. While Walsh has had growing success in attracting enrollment, it is not completely well-known around the diocese as a Catholic institution, Jusseaume acknowledged. “South of Route 224, we are pretty well known,” he said. Students from Central Catholic, Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas and Cardinal Mooney high schools regularly enroll there but, using his corporate background, Jusseaume plans to step up marketing efforts in general. He has already taken several steps to make the university a more central player in diocesan events. The university has hosted diocesan functions on several occasions and welcomed visitors beyond its student body to campus. More than 500 students showed up for an Opening Day Mass this year with eight priests from surrounding areas. In addition, Catholic elementary students and their principals and pastors have been invited to visit. Efforts to attract Catholics from around the diocese to consider becoming students there have also been stepped up: Diocesan employees can receive two-thirds off tuition at Walsh, for example, and any graduate coming out of a Catholic high school can receive a $1,000 renewable scholarship. A full-tuition Founders Scholarship is now offered to a top graduate from diocesan high schools, “because we want to be recruiting the brightest and the best from Catholic institutions.” A Speaker’s Bureau has also been established, offering expertise from some 30 Walsh faculty members to churches, schools, social service agencies, and youth groups free of charge. “We want to be considered a resource for the entire diocese,” Jusseaume stressed. He also hopes to have Walsh host retreats, workshops, youth conventions and more on campus in the summertime. “This is not my university,” he stressed. “It’s ours. If it is a truly Catholic university, it ought to be a resource for the entire area.” Eventually, he hopes to see the student body grow to 2,000, with 800 housed on campus. He also plans to steer the university in the direction of creating more academic programs geared to answering specific needs in the community, in much the way that a nursing program and a physical therapy program (which may become a master’s program) has addressed a shortage in those fields in the area. Asked about hobbies or interests, Jusseaume smiled. He and his wife Terie, who are members of Canton St. Michael Parish, have five children, two of who are still at home as students at Canton Central Catholic High School. Mrs. Jusseaume is a reading teacher there. Two of their children are in college and a third recently married. Between attending various athletic functions for his children and university events as well, and serving on a number of non-profit and corporate boards, “there is not a lot of time left over.” He accepts “every speaking engagement that comes my way” to promote the name of Walsh University and make it better known.” What he would like Catholics in the Diocese of Youngstown to know about the university he will become permanent president of next Saturday? Jusseaume has definite ideas about that. “I’d like Catholics in the diocese to know that Walsh is a resource in northeast Ohio. It is a resource that speaks to Catholicism, to Catholic intellectual tradition, and it is a marvelous place for you and your children to come to be prepared professionally for whatever you are going to be about, from a career point of view. But it is also a very welcoming environment wherein your own personal growth – both professionally and in terms of your religion – can really be fostered. “Come to visit,” he urged. “Come to see what is going on here. Don’t look past us. Take the time to come and take a look, at whatever event or activity you would like. There is a great deal of good stuff going on here. We are trying to become a beacon for Catholic higher education in northeast Ohio.”   Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page   Other Articles of 2002   Christmas letter from El Salvador missions thanks diocesan Catholics   Bishop shares views, discussion with Central students   ETC slates Christmas specials throughout the season   My Favorite Christmas Memories   Guidelines on religious ed homeschooling are issued   Local Catholic radio station targets Feb. 1 date   HMs end 98-years of service to Salem St. Paul Parish   Learn ‘language’ of young, youth meet speaker urges   Bishop Tobin: Meeting in D.C. on norms was ‘anxious, tense, difficult’   Priests must ask one another the tough questions, speaker says   Catholic death and funeral rites   Deacons mark 25th with Mass, dinner, memories   Diocesan Ministry Convocation Speaker: Global solidarity, not globalization, should be aim   Jusseaume inaugurated as sixth Walsh president   Diaconate marks 25th anniversary with Oct. 27 fete   New norms sent to priests, deacons on Communion under both kinds   Ashtabula parishes are ‘one Catholic community’   Jusseaume to become Walsh’s sixth president   Charismatic speaker: ‘Church being tested in faithfulness’   Lutheran/Catholic covenant event draws 140 to Walsh   Canton St. Joseph Parish observes centennial celebration   HMHP CEO Michael Rowan   Stewardship speaker: It’s about gratitude and thanking God first   Imagination is key to resolving crisis, priests told   War with Iraq? Expo readers opposed by 81-19%   Newspaper columns didn’t give complete story, official says   Diocesan Ministry Convocation set Oct. 26 at YSU’s Kilcawley   New year brings new faculty, changes at diocesan high schools   Mont St. Michel, Avignon’s papal palace are treasures   Preparing for the priesthood   Entering well-earned retirement, Sr. Marcella’s not slowing down   Warren St. Mary observes 100th year for church building   Lay Ministry Formation program attracting new audience   The cathedrals of France: Monuments of faith in stone   Executive summary of the ad hoc commission on athletics in diocesan high schools   ‘No widespread abuse’ found   Milburn leaving pro-life post to pursue grad studies   Return to France yields history, memories, surprises   Two new members appointed for Diocesan Finance Council   Former SS. C&M school razed, but memories remain   Pastor, 80, keeps busy with ‘lots of interests’   Ravenna IC boasts 5 high school valedictorians for ‘02   Humility Sister Sandy Pedone to profess perpetual vows July 21   NRLC convention filled with good news   ‘Capture the Romance’ is theme for NFP Week   Question of moral evil discussed at Walsh symposium   Notre Dame Sisters will celebrate jubilees July 14   ‘A great lady’ retires   Statement of Bishop Tobin on the meeting of the U. S. Conference   Haladej, Celuch ordained to priesthood, diaconate in Slovakia   Bishop plans implementation of norms on sexual abuse   Kevin McCaffrey, Robert Miller are newest priests   Theologian: ‘Behave toward others as though God were there’   Fr. Bonnot: Use good judgment for TV, movie viewing   MOMS: ‘A place to claim yourself’   Storm ‘changed lives forever’ for Jackson Twp. family   Bishop will ordain Miller, McCaffrey at May 25 ceremony   Update on child abuse   Vicar general addresses issue of not giving priest names to media   New Middletown St. Paul youth — called to be ‘witnesses’ for Christ   New Ursuline Sisters leadership team elected to 6-year term   Two receive first pastorates; two pastors change parishes   Abuse coverage   Walsh University dedicates new ‘David’ campus center   Sisters’ HIV/AIDS ministry critical, heartbreaking   Bishop visits St. Peter’s as rebuilding process begins   Chrism Mass theme: Priests can’t afford discouragement   Bishop’s Appeal stresses meeting needs, funding ministries   Diocese OKs closing Conneaut St. Frances Cabrini K-8; preschool stays   St. Stan’s marks 100th year   Canton St. Joseph choir enjoys ‘incredible trip’   New schools superintendent   Four journeys of faith among hundreds marked here   DPC considers direction, importance of youth ministry   Richard Jusseaume named as Walsh University’s sixth president   Pro-life dinner heralds new beginning in Stark County   Kids at church   Religious day studies resurrection amid culture of violence   Richard Jusseaume named as Walsh University’s sixth president   Keynoter: Eucharist should change us   Speaker: ‘Truth’ key concept in Gospel of John   Parishes offer Lenten missions for spiritual enrichment   Parishes offer Lenten missions, speakers series   Working in Medjugorje   TV anchorman finds faith not incompatible with journalism   Action alert on cloning set in diocese for Feb. 2-3   Austintown parishioner finds fulfillment in El Salvador   ‘Where Faith and Knowledge Meet’   Resisting TEMPTATION: It’s worth the effort, teens say   4th annual Diocesan Pro-life Mass set Jan. 26   Catholic/Lutheran dialogue, death of Walsh president top news   Diocese helping Afghanistan relief   Past Articles From 2001