Seton Hill University (SHU) broke ground for the Health Science Center Monday morning. Bagpipes and drums set the tone for the ceremony as a celebration.
During the ceremony, Michele Ridge, Chair of the University’s Board of Trustees, officially announced that the building would be called the JoAnne Woodyard Boyle Health Sciences Center in honor of the president emerita.
“I can think of no better way to crown a 25 year career as president, decades as an educator and years as a student than to name a building in her honor,” said John W. Boyle, son of JoAnne Boyle, while speaking at the ceremony.
John, along with his father and the rest of the Boyle family stood at the podium on behalf of their mother and wife’s achievements.
The groundbreaking was all-but-traditional, yet fitting for a technologically driven institution as JoAnne Boyle enjoyed the ceremony via closed circuit live stream.
Upon opening the ceremony, Interim President Bibiana Boerio asked the audience to turn around and wave to JoAnne. Boerio also took time to recognize various people who have made the Health and Sciences Center become a reality.
“We are risk takers,” said Catherine Meinert, Sister of Charity and Provincial Superior, in her blessing over the groundbreaking. She praised the university on its strides to continue improving the campus and programs.
“I hope they are well read,” said Art Boyle in a message that he was sent to give from his wife. “Even though JoAnne studied English, she knew the importance of all of the disciplines.”
Students in various health science majors including exercise science, biology, chemistry, physician assistant and dietetics supported the groundbreaking by setting up informational tables on each of their programs.
Instead of using shovels to break ground, several members of SHU’s science department poured beakers filled with crimson and yellow liquids into two mounds of dirt creating a simulated volcano of sorts. Guests were given travel sized first aid kits along with a DVD featuring JoAnne Boyle.