President Series · #461

Catholic Universities Are Back & This Is Why Students Are Choosing Faith Over Everything - with Dr. Walter Iwanenko, President, Gannon University

Dr. Walter Iwanenko, President · Gannon University

Mar 26, 2026 46 min

Watch this conversation

Video published on the EdUp Experience channel on YouTubeOpen on YouTube

01
How does a 100 year old Catholic university with 4k students close a $100 million capital campaign while acquiring Ursuline College?
02
Why are Catholic universities seeing enrollment resurgence as students specifically seek faith based experiences with increased mass participation & Catholic high school growth?
03
What makes successful acquisition require celebrating the A word through integration teams, maintaining separate identities & constant communication to prevent creative narratives?

In this episode, President Series #461, powered by ⁠⁠⁠Ellucian⁠⁠⁠, sponsored by the ELIVE 2026 Conference in Denver, Colorado, April 19-22, the HigherEd PodCon II happening July 16 & 17, & the 2026 AcOps Conference July 29-31 by Coursedog

How does a 100 year old Catholic university with 4k students close a $100 million capital campaign while acquiring Ursuline College?
Why are Catholic universities seeing enrollment resurgence as students specifically seek faith based experiences with increased mass participation & Catholic high school growth?
What makes successful acquisition require celebrating the A word through integration teams, maintaining separate identities & constant communication to prevent creative narratives?

Listen in to #EdUp

Thank YOU so much for tuning in. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to EdUp!

● Join YOUR EdUp community at The EdUp Experience

We make education YOUR business!

P.S. Want to get early, ad-free access & exclusive leadership content to help support the show? Become an #EdUp Premium Member today!

It’s YOUR time to #EdUp. Subscribe and never miss a conversation.

We make education YOUR business!