DeSales University president to retire after nearly two decades at helm

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O’Connor has overseen the university’s continued growth and academic success, having recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, and this fall welcomed the largest freshman class in school history, said Tom McNamara, executive director of communication for DeSales University in Upper Saucon Township.

The university established a search committee for the next president, who will be in place by May 2017, McNamara said. The committee includes faculty, trustees, staff, alumnae and a student, he said.

Shortly after O’Connor became its third president, DeSales became a university in 2001, McNamara said.

“We’ve been planning for it, but he was instrumental in making that happen,” McNamara said.

Under O’Connor’s leadership, DeSales has seen growth in enrollment, health care programs and theater and performing arts, to name a few areas, McNamara said.

The university saw its largest enrollment of freshmen this fall with 503 and total undergraduate enrollment at 1,693, McNamara said.

“The growth is not just with enrollment, but with the physical plant,” McNamara said.

Under O’Connor’s leadership, new residence halls and academic facilities have been renovated or built, including Aviat Hall, Welsh Hall and Donahue Hall. The Salesian Center for Faith & Culture, the first and only center for research and development at DeSales, was established in 2000.

In 1974, O’Connor became an instructor at the school, then known as Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales. He was assistant professor of philosophy and chairman of the philosophy department from 1980 through 1987, when he was named associate professor and chairman of the philosophy and theology departments.

He became associate vice president for academic affairs in 1993, academic dean in 1994 and executive vice president of the college in 1995.

The Rev. Daniel G. Gambet Center for Business and Healthcare is the school’s newest and biggest academic building, which opened in 2013. It includes science simulation laboratories and a human gross anatomy laboratory.

During O’Connor’s tenure, the university provided students with expanded course offerings, including new undergraduate majors in homeland security, health communication, health care administration and supply chain management.

The university also advanced its nationally recognized health care curriculum, launching new undergraduate majors and graduate programs, as well as two doctoral programs, the doctor of nursing practice and the doctor of physical therapy.