University Trustees Welcome President Donald J. Green and Honor Retiring President Paul Hennigan Thursday, July 29, 2021
Point Park University's Board of Trustees officially welcomed Donald J. Green as the University's eighth president — and honored retiring President Paul Hennigan — at a reception and dinner at the Pittsburgh Playhouse July 27.
Joe Greco '71, chairman, extended a warm welcome on behalf of the Board of Trustees. Guests included present and previous senior leadership of the University, as well as current, Emeritus and Ex-Officio trustees: Katherine Henderson, a former University president, Janet Simon, wife of the late Matt Simon, a former University president, and Tom Golonski, Nancy Washington and Anne Lewis, previous Board chairs.
Additionally, Greco thanked the group of Board members who generously made personal gifts to fund the reception and dinner.
Following his remarks, Greco invited President Don Green to speak about his vision as Point Park University's next president.
Student Success A Priority for President Don Green
"Like our bison mascot, we will charge forward boldly to create new paths to enrollment growth," Green said. "Innovative recruitment, retention and program development. Student success will be a priority."
He added: "We will bring the herd together, creating a cohesive culture, recognizing the competition is outside the University and focusing on what is most important — our students."
Outgoing President Paul Hennigan Wishes Prosperity for Point Park
University Trustees next recognized the many accomplishments of President Paul Hennigan before welcoming him to the podium.
Hennigan started his career at Point Park in 2000 as vice president of finance and operations. He was named acting president in January 2006 and president in September 2006. In his 21-year senior leadership career at Point Park, the University has had many significant accomplishments, including the completion of the new Pittsburgh Playhouse and the Center for Media Innovation, and the development of a University-wide undergraduate cooperative education program.
Hennigan thanked his wife, Colleen, and sons, Brennan and Sean, as driving forces and constant sources of inspiration throughout his time at Point Park, and shared the following closing remarks:
"I have one wish for Point Park and that is prosperity. We are in a world where we are surrounded by noise. Everyone has an opinion and everyone can be a publisher through some form of media. More than ever before, the role of the University is critical. The highest and most sacred ideal in higher education is academic freedom."
"Academic freedom, very simply means, the protection to teach the truth. And with that protection, comes the obligation to espouse the truth."
Hennigan concluded by stating: "Truth is based on facts. The Point Park community — students, alums, faculty, staff, administrators and Trustees — must always work hard to tune out distractions and stay focused on the mission of educating students. Educating students requires that we all know how to find the truth and that we espouse the truth as sacred."
Video: Celebrating the Legacy of President Paul Hennigan
Dr. Paul & Colleen Hennigan Endowed Scholarship Fund
Dave Duncan, chair of the University's finance committee, announced a new scholarship — that is being established with personal funds provided by Trustees — that will honor the Hennigan legacy at Point Park in perpetuity.
The newly-established Dr. Paul & Colleen Hennigan Endowed Scholarship Fund seeks to raise $500,000. To date, four Trustees and friends of the University have contributed $85,000. Additional scholarship details will be announced as they become available.