Neumann University’s President Emeritus Dr. Rosalie Mirenda, who served students at the university for more than four decades, has died. She was 85.

The announcement was made by Neumann University President Dr. Chris Domes Monday.

“Rosalie served students with passion and committed herself to living the mission and values of Neumann University for over four decades as a professor, academic leader, and for twenty-one of those years, as president,” Domes said in a statement.

Dr. Mirenda rose in the ranks to become president of the university in 1996, according to a leadership profile that appeared March 2017 in DELCO.Today.

Read Dr. Mirenda’s leadership profile in DELCO.Today.

Under Dr. Mirenda’s two decades of leadership, the university expanded its academic programs, became a residential campus, and strengthened its fundraising capacity.

Enrollment tripled and she saw the university’s Delaware County footprint expand from 14 to 68 acres.

She also helped the university add academic and recreational facilities, broaden its community service outreach, launch new athletic teams, capture national championships, and achieve university status, “all the while remaining true to the Catholic Franciscan mission that has been at the heart of Neumann University since 1965,” Domes said.

She retired from the presidency as President Emeritus in 2017, according to her obituary.

Dr. Rosalie Mirenda grew up in South Philadelphia and was the first daughter of Italian immigrants born in the United States, according to the leadership profile.

She was an alum of St. Paul’s and John J. Hallahan High School for Girls.

Dr. Mirenda pursued a Bachelor of Science nursing degree at Villanova University.

Her first job after graduation was as a nurse at Saint Agnes Hospital in South Philadelphia. Her nursing career would also take her to Fitzgerald Mercy Hospital in Darby.

While at St. Agnes, Dr. Mirenda met the late Sister Margaret Bonner and the late Sister Kathleen Cronin, both with the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, who founded Neumann University.

Recognizing her ability to teach, the Sisters mentored her career which evolved into a nurse educator, dean, provost, and ultimately president of Neumann University, according to her obituary.

She started her administrative career at Neumann by filling in for the chair of the Neumann University Nursing Department.

Several years later, she was asked to fill a vacant VP of Academic Affairs position for six months. When a national search failed to find a suitable candidate, she was offered the position permanently.

In the Fall of 1995, she was asked to serve on a search committee to find a new president for the college. A fellow colleague nominated her for the position, then a previous president of the college did the same.

The search narrowed from 37 to 7, then to just one person, Dr. Rosalie Mirenda.

“Her devotion to Neumann University and the Roman Catholic Church was remarkable, and she was recognized by numerous organizations for her steadfast faith, distinguished character, and tireless service,” Domes stated.

A funeral procession will take place Wednesday, May 17 from Dr, Mirenda’s parish, The Church of the Incarnation in Mantua, New Jersey, through the Neuman campus, past the John Neumann statue, the Mirenda Center, and Our Lady of Angels Convent.

The procession is expected to arrive on campus between 1 and 1:30 PM. The public is invited to join the campus procession.  Those interested in attending should meet at the St. John Neumann Circle by 12:45 PM.

After departing the campus, the family will travel to her final resting place for a private burial service.