Remembering Sister Candace Introcaso

Dear LRU Community,

As you may know, this Friday, December 8, 2023, would have been Sister Candace’s 70th birthday.  Her charismatic leadership was a manifestation of her big heart and a zest for life.  Sister Candace would want us to walk the halls of her beloved university and see the prints from the St. John’s Bible that reflect the Catholic Identity of La Roche.  She would want us to welcome the members of the Sister Candace Introcaso Center for Lifelong learning as they continue their journey of personal growth.  Likewise, she would be happy to see the diversity of people in campus center square as students from around the world, speaking various languages, debate subjects of all kinds, and laugh together as they enjoy a meal or a game of pool—this is what Sister Candace would have delighted in because she made all these attributes of LRU possible.

We remember her, our 7th president, who believed in the vision of university put forth by the late Father Ted Hesburgh, CSC, the president of Notre Dame University for 35 years who believed that a great university can and must be a place where all people are welcomed and all ideas could be discussed, and where no questions were off limits.  But a great university is also a place where all people “co-exist with friendship, civility, hospitality, respect and love.”  This was Sister Candace’s vision, a vision that drew all to a La Roche that she believed was “best for the world.”

As you make your way around campus this week, especially on Friday, you may choose to attend the noon mass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, which is being prayed in Sister Candace’s honor.  Or you may want to attend The Messiah ballet later Friday evening (7pm) or on Saturday evening (7pm); again, this event is being performed in honor of Sister Candace’s birthday to honor her memory. I believe that the very best of Sister Candace is still very much with us. She cared deeply for the people of La Roche: the students, staff, faculty, board and administration. Please take time this week to give thanks for her legacy that continues to bring us together.  Our being our best selves honors her every day.

Sincerely,

Howard Ishiyama, Ph.D.
Interim President
L A   R O C H E   U N I V E R S I T Y
9000 Babcock Blvd.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15237
4  1  2  –  5  3  6  –  1  2  8  2
howard.ishiyama@laroche.edu