Daemen President Gary A. Olson delivered an optimistic State of the University address to faculty and staff on October 15, celebrating ongoing momentum across the institution. 
Olson welcomed attendees saying, “We have begun the new academic year in a strong position, and we are poised for a very positive and exciting year ahead.”
He recognized Dr. Lisa Parshall, distinguished professor of political science, as the new faculty representative on Daemen’s Board of Trustees, highlighting that she is “the only faculty member at Daemen with the rank of distinguished professor.”
Olson welcomed five new faculty members and 48 professional staff members, and recognized Dr. Laura Edsberg and Dr. Andrew Wise who were recently granted emeritus status by the Board of Trustees.
He noted that Daemen has experienced solid enrollment with a balance of undergraduate, transfer, and graduate students throughout the enrollment cliff, saying, “We have begun the third of three unexpectedly strong years during a time when universities throughout the nation have been bracing for the worst, and many have, in fact, experienced it.”
Olson celebrated Daemen’s upgraded rating with Fitch Ratings—the first time this has happened since Daemen first earned an investment grade designation in 2018. “This was a real vote of confidence at a time when all three credit rating agencies have issued a negative outlook this year for higher education as an industry,” he said.
Daemen made substantial progress on four of the top priorities identified in its Master Plan, including the renovation of Daemen Hall, which will be transformed into the new home of the PA program. “Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin this fall, but circumstances may dictate that we wait until early spring,” Olson said.
Additional priorities being carried out include a new professional table in the board room, ongoing campus-wide bathroom upgrades, and a state-of-the-art renovation to the Center for Anatomy Resources and Education (CARE) in Schenck Hall.
Olson also celebrated that, just one year into the five-year Comprehensive Campaign, Moving Forward, Daemen has achieved over 72% of its $40 million goal. “Reaching this milestone during the first year is something we can all be proud of, and I want to thank all of you who have already given to this effort for your generosity and dedication to Daemen,” he said.
He closed by thanking everyone for their ongoing service and dedication to Daemen saying, “We continue to lead among other institutions in the region precisely because we all work together as a team for the greater good.”