HFU Seal

Faculty Senate

Purpose

The Faculty Senate, established on April 23, 1970, serves as the official faculty governing body at Holy Family University. It acts as the collective voice of the faculty by providing a forum to discuss academic matters and make recommendations to the administration. Beyond governance, the Senate is dedicated to promoting professional development, supporting faculty welfare, upholding high academic standards, and fostering student well-being.

You may contact the Faculty Senate at facultysenate@holyfamily.edu.

Constitution

The membership, charges, and governance policies and procedures of the Faculty Senate are defined in the Constitution.

Meeting Dates and Locations

The Faculty Senate meets once a month on Wednesdays from 1:00-2:30 in Campus Center Room 115 unless noted otherwise. Meeting times for each academic year can be found on the annual schedule, as well as in the Faculty Senate Canvas shell; additionally, Google Calendar invites are sent to full-time faculty. Faculty Senate meetings are mandatory for full-time faculty; however, part-time faculty members are also encouraged to attend.

Dues and Payment Methods

Yearly dues are $20 for full-time faculty and $5 for part-time faculty and can be submitted to the Treasurer. Dues may be paid via:

  • Check (written out to Holy Family University)
  • Cash
  • Electronic payment. Please find the directions for electronic payments (also posted on the Faculty Senate Canvas shell).

Officers (AY 2025-2026)

  • Jaclyn Myers - President
  • Edward Waddell - Vice-President
  • Jill Swirsky - Secretary
  • Spencer Hochstetler - Treasurer
A member of Faculty Senate speaking at Convocation

Committees

Standing Committees

  • University Curriculum Committee
  • Faculty Development Committee
  • Scholarship Committee
  • Nominations Committee
  • Welfare Committee
  • Policy Manual Committee

Ad Hoc Committees

  • Social Committee
  • Academic Freedom Committee
  • Room Assessment Committee
     

View Committee membership

Awards

The Lindback Teaching Award recognizes outstanding teaching excellence at colleges and universities, primarily in the Greater Delaware Valley region. Established by the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation, the award honors faculty members who demonstrate sustained commitment to intellectual and social development of students through innovative, challenging, and accessible teaching methods. This award is given out every three years.

2023 – Denise McFadden
2020 - Pam Flynn
2016 - Gloria Kersey-Matusiak
2013 - Kathryn Van Dyke Hayes
2011 - Robert Cordero
2009 - Cathleen Jenner
2007 - George Haynes
2006 - Kathryn Osenlund
2005 - Bette Tokar
2004 - Kathleen McMullen
2003 - Kathleen Moyer
2002 - Kathleen Quinn
2001 - Arthur Grugan
2000 - Regina Hobaugh
1999 - Claire Ann Sullivan
1998 - Thomas McCormick

The Faculty Excellence Award is awarded annually to a member of the Holy Family University faculty who, in the estimation of their peers demonstrates: 1) outstanding commitment to Holy Family students, 2) engagement in best practices in the areas of course design and pedagogy, 3) commitment to Holy Family Core Values and Teneor Votis, and 4) scholarly curiosity and on-going professional development.

2025 - Jenai Grigg
2024 - Claire Sulivan 
2023 - Luanne Amato
2022 - Mary Carroll Johansen
2021 - Maggie Harkins
2020 - Roseanna Wright
2019 - Bernice Purcell
2018 - Pam Flynn

The Golden Toga is an annual award presented by the Faculty Senate to a faculty member who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and service to the Senate and the university community. Selected by the Executive Committee, the recipient is recognized for their commitment to advancing faculty governance, supporting colleagues, and contributing to the betterment of academic life at Holy Family University.

2024-2025 - Jaclyn Myeres
2023-2024 - Patrick Casey
2022-2023 - Stacy McDonald
2021-2022 - Luanne Amato
2020-2021 - Brian Berry
2019-2020 - Janet McNellis
2018-2019 - Don Goeltz
2017-2018 - Roseanna Wright
2016-2017 - Daniel Bassi
2015-2016 - Megan Meyer
2013-2014 - Mary Carroll Johansen
2012-2013 - Bill Zulch
2011-2012 - Jenai Grigg, Mike White
2010-2011 - Stuart Brian

Earlier recipients included: Father Thomas Fahy, George Haynes, and Kathryn Van Dyke Hayes.

Each year, the Scholarship Committee chooses a student or students to be the recipient of the Faculty Senate Student Scholarship.

2024-2025 - Todor Karamoutchev (Mgt/Marketing), Taneya Haughton (Nursing), Aidan
Kennish (History/Social Studies Education
2023-2024 - Barbara Adler (Nursing) and Fatima Cobham
2022-2023 - Kristin Bell and Skyla Martz
2021-2022 - Aniyah Scott and Dennis Armour (Psychology)
2020-2021 - Haley Holsworth and Yasmeen Jenkins
2019-2020 - Nicolina Vega (School of Education)
2018-2019 - Miraina Wilkins (School of Nursing)
2018-2019 - Rory Marr (School of Education)
2018-2019 - Alexa Zapczynski (School of Arts and Sciences)
2017-2018 - Sean Gaffney (Business)
2017-2018 - Brittany Hall (Nursing)
2017-2018 - Caitlyn Olszewski (Biology)
2016-2017 - Brianna Branchide (Business)
2015-2016 - Roney Burton (Biology/MT)