ALLEGANY, N.Y. — St. Bonaventure University president Sr. Margaret Carney, OSF, was recognized this month as a leading educator by the Irish Voicenewspaper.
Sr. Margaret, known for leadership and a collaborative style, was named to the weekly newspaper’s “Irish Education 100,” a list of top educators in North America.
She received her award Oct. 8 at the American Irish Historical Society in New York City. Also honored was SBU alumnus and trustee Daniel Collins, vice president of corporate communications at Corning Inc.
“The Irish Education 100 is our inaugural effort to recognize the central role of educators in our history,” said Niall O’Dowd, founding publisher of Irish Voice. “More than a reflection of the past, we endeavor to build a creative communication network that will strengthen Irish identity in the 21st century with new collaborations, partnerships and friendships. We view educators as the central link with Ireland in our globalized world.”
A lifelong educator, Sr. Margaret came to SBU in 1997 as a faculty member at the Franciscan Institute. Within two years, she was named dean and director. In 2004, she became president of the university.
She led establishment of the Father Mychal Judge Center for Irish Exchange and Understanding, a venture that offers SBU students and faculty academic study, service learning, co-curricular seminars, and research with the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Sr. Margaret is proud of her Irish heritage, her maternal and paternal grandparents were born in Ireland. Her sister, Sr. Sheila Carney, is an international expert on the life of Catherine McAuley, founder of the Sisters of Mercy, headquartered in Dublin.
Sr. Margaret has lectured in Ireland at the Shrine of Our Lady of Knock. She was the first woman to earn a doctorate from the Franciscan University of Rome. She studied in Europe after completing master’s degrees in theology at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and Franciscan Studies at St. Bonaventure.
Sr. Margaret is working with the trustees and the university community to develop a 21st century plan for educational excellence in a student-centered learning environment, according to Inside Bona’s e-newsletter.
The day after the Irish Education event, Sr. Margaret attended St. Bonaventure’s Hellinger Awards event in Washington, D.C. The annual program is arranged by SBU’s Russell J. Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication