Campus News
IU Family Connect
Immaculata University recognizes the important role parents, guardians, and families play in supporting their students’ success. To help strengthen that connection, the University introduced IU Family Connect—a new resource designed especially for families. Through this tool, families can stay informed about campus life, from events and activities to student achievements and milestones. It also provides easy access to important updates, such as financial aid reminders, registration dates and graduation details, ensuring families feel included and supported.
Nutrition Students Help Immaculata Athletes
Dietetic interns from Immaculata University’s Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition program recently set up a wellness tent to welcome back student-athletes. They provided water, Gatorade and nutritious snacks, along with tips for post-exercise recovery and healthy dining hall choices. In conjunction with the Nutrition Education for Athletes program, the interns also encouraged the athletes to take advantage of one-on-one consultations to help them optimize performance and support long-term health.
Gillet Hall Renovations
In response to Immaculata’s continued historic surge in enrollment and corresponding increase in demand for on-campus housing, the University implemented a multi-phased renovation of Gillet Hall. The building, formerly a residence for the IHM Sisters, was generously turned over to the University by the IHM Congregation in early 2025. Work was done to renovate 36 rooms on the second floor, which opened to students in fall 2025. Phase II renovation of the first floor is in process, and once complete, Gillet Hall will accommodate 56 students across 10 double-occupancy and 36 single-occupancy rooms.
The Gillet Hall renovation provides students with a comfortable, modern living environment, featuring amenities such as a community lounge, a dedicated study room and on-site laundry facilities. Each room includes brand-new furniture, stylish flooring, energy-efficient LED lighting, rolling window shades, a personal sink and closet space. Select rooms also offer private or shared, dual-access bathrooms.
The $500,000 Campaign for Gillet Hall Renovation is in Phase II, which will encompass renovation of the first floor of Gillet Hall, providing additional residential space in which students can thrive while building bonds with their fellow Mighty Macs. An anonymous donor has offered a challenge gift whereby the first 100 donors who make a gift of $1,000 or more will have their gift matched, for a total of up to $100,000. Be a part of this momentous change for IU by contributing to the campaign with your donation in any amount. For more information or to add your support, you can visit the campaign webpage. Thank you to all those who have already donated to the campaign!
Dedication of New Digital Media Room
Immaculata University recently completed renovations to its Digital Media Room, located on the lower level of Gabriele Library, thanks to the generosity of Steve Cohen and the Cohen family. A longtime supporter of the University, Cohen helped fund state-of-the-art equipment to enhance hands-on learning opportunities for students enrolled in courses focused on media production, digital storytelling, and professional and strategic communication.
The upgraded space features advanced computer hardware and software, microphones, headphones, iPads, and a teleprompter. An area for podcasts includes new chairs and a table, a soundboard and microphones, lighting equipment and a green screen.
New Major
MRI Specialization
Allied health majors at Immaculata University will soon have another clinical specialty to consider. Beginning in fall 2026, the University will add MRI to its list of specialties, which includes sonography, radiology, nuclear medicine and pre-pharmacy, among others.
Students in allied health specialties typically study at Immaculata for three years before applying to an affiliated institution for clinical training, which usually lasts one to two years. After completing the training, credits earned at the affiliated school transfer back to Immaculata to fulfill requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Allied Health.
Student Achievements
Students Digitalized Butterfly Specimens
Two students from the Department of Natural Sciences, Mary Steinbicker ’26 and Grace Wright ’26, with their professor, Stephen C. Mason, Jr., Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, traveled to the McGuire Center for Lepidoptera & Biodiversity at the University of Florida’s Museum of Natural History to begin digitizing New Jersey butterfly specimens. The McGuire Center houses one of the largest and most prestigious butterfly and moth collections in the world, with an estimated 12 million specimens representing 90% of all known Lepidoptera species.
Digitizing involved photographing each specimen and transcribing all associated label data (e.g., collection location, date, collector). These high-resolution images and metadata will be accessible globally and can support a wide range of research. The students digitized over 600 specimens representing eight of the 165 known New Jersey butterfly species. View photos.
Presidential Scholars
Congratulations to five incoming freshmen who earned presidential scholarships, which cover full tuition.
- Kurken Arpajian IV of Bucks County, Pennsylvania is majoring in psychology and plays for the men’s lacrosse team.
- Colin Ciavarelli of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania is earning a degree in communication.
- Anthony Contento of Camden County, New Jersey is pursuing a B.S.N. degree.
- Connor Theiss of Duchess County, New York is majoring in cybersecurity.
- Bailey Kassis of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania is studying politics, law and policy.
Student Leadership Award Recipients
Saint Catherine Medal Recipient
U.S. Army veteran Umair Ahmed ’26, an exercise science major with a pre-physician assistant focus, was honored with the Saint Catherine of Alexandria Medal for the 2025–26 academic year. The medal is awarded to an Immaculata student, following completion of their junior year, who demonstrates deep commitments to faith, service, leadership and academic excellence.
Ahmed is a member of the Exercise Science Club, Phi Epsilon Kappa, the national honor society for exercise science students and is a trainer for the University’s GetFIT program, where he works one-on-one with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
As a sergeant in the U.S. Army, Ahmed was deployed to South Korea on humanitarian missions during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he provided medical relief and aid. He now serves as an EMT in his local community.
Duffy’s Cut
A news conference was held at Immaculata University to publicly announce a breakthrough discovery of a second Irish immigrant railroader mass grave at Northwood Cemetery, eleven miles farther west in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. Members of the Duffy’s Cut Project team, including Immaculata University History professor William Watson, Ph.D. and two history alumni, along with Frank Watson and several other dedicated team members, explained the link between the two sites, which was uncovered through extensive historical research. This includes documents from former Pennsylvania Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker and other records that led the team from Duffy’s Cut to Northwood. The discovery required tireless physical effort to clear dense vegetation by hand and sift through soil that eventually uncovered human remains.
The Duffy’s Cut Project, with support from Immaculata University, has been dedicated to restoring dignity to the victims buried in silence, honoring their memory through efforts such as the Duffy’s Cut Museum in Gabriele Library at Immaculata University.
