12 January 2007

Fontbonne University presents honorary degree to Dr. Cormier

Longwood University President Patricia Cormier was awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters from Fontbonne University where she presented the commencement address on December 15, 2006.

Dr. Cormier was recognized for her support of the mission, values, commitment, Catholic identity, and sponsorship of Fontbonne University to educate responsible leaders to serve a world in need. Fontbonne University is a four-year coeducational Catholic institution founded in 1923 and sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. Located in Clayton, Mo., -- in the heart of the St. Louis metropolitan area -- Fontbonne offers liberal arts, professional and adult programs to some 2,800 students annually.

Dr. Cormier is in her eleventh year as president of Longwood University.  She has been an administrator in higher education for more than 38 years, serving as chief academic officer at Winthrop University, in key vice presidential positions at the University of Pennsylvania where she was also an associate dean and a tenured member of the faculty, and as vice president for development and alumni relations at the Medical College of Pennsylvania. Dr. Cormier has master’s and doctoral degrees in education from the University of Virginia and a bachelor's degree in health education from Boston University.