Sister R. Patricia Fadden,
IHM, EdD
Ninth President
of Immaculata University
Sister R. Patricia Fadden, assumed her new office as the ninth president of Immaculata College, but the first president of Immaculata University, "on July 1, 2002.". She brings with her a broad range of experience as an educator and administrator. Sister most recently served as principal of Villa Maria Academy in Malvern from 1999 to 2002. From 1991 to 1999 she was Director of Secondary Curriculum and Instruction, Office of Catholic Education, Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
A member of the Immaculata College Board of Trustees from 1991 to 2000, she served successive terms as chair of the Membership and Governance Committee, and the Enrollment Initiatives Committee, and as a member of the Student Affairs Committee. Sister has been an adjunct member of the faculty in the College of Graduate Studies at Immaculata. She was principal of Archbishop Prendergast High School, Upper Darby. from 1985 to 1990. She was director of studies at Cardinal Dougherty High School from 1977 to 1985, taught at West Catholic High for Girls from 1968 to 1977, and in elementary schools from 1960 to 1968.
Sister received an A.B. in Mathematics from Immaculata College, an M.A. in Education from Ohio State University, and an Ed.D. degree from Immaculata. She was born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania to Ruth and the late Gerald Fadden, but she grew up in Havertown, Pennsylvania. After graduating from Villa Maria Academy she joined the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Throughout her career in education, Sister has served in an executive capacity in many professional organizations. She is currently vice-chair of the executive Committee of the Middle States Association Commission on Secondary Schools, and a member of the Middle States Strategic Planning Committee, the Committee on Institution-Wide Accreditation, and the Committee to Restructure the Middle States Association. She was chair of the IHM Professional Development Committee from 1995 to 2000. She has also served many Archdiocesan committees including: Curriculum and Retention, K-12 Principals' Committee on Academics, Bishop Shanahan Building Committee, and the Contract Negotiations Team. Sister frequently participates as speaker, presenter, and coordinator at educational conferences, seminars, and institutes in curriculum and instruction, her areas of expertise.
Sister Patricia Fadden began her tenure with a vision for the future. "I see an Immaculata that is rooted in the Catholic Christian tradition; charismatic, reflective of the IHM charisma; visionary, looking boldly towards the future; innovative, seeking new ways to serve; rigorous, devoted to excellence; and vibrant, dedicated to educating the whole person. I have faith in Immaculata and the dedicated leadership of those who love and serve her."