Newly Established Grace Center for Faith and Community to Oversee the College’s Mission-Focused Initiatives

With a new vibrancy, personnel and structure that strengthens Le Moyne’s commitment to its Jesuit mission and social justice, the Grace Center for Faith and Community in the Panasci Family Chapel now encompasses mission integration, campus ministry, cultural and social engagement, faith formation and the Le Moyne Way. The Grace Center was created during the 2025 spring semester following a gift from Katherine “Kathy” Grace Purcell ’66 and her late husband John Purcell ’65.

“Knowing that the Grace Center will contribute so significantly to spirituality, faith formation and Le Moyne’s Jesuit mission brings me great joy!” said Kathy Purcell. “Those were each a vital part of the experience that John and I valued during our time at Le Moyne.”

To support the work of the center, a new organizational structure has been established that reports to President Linda LeMura. Rick Malloy S.J., who has worked in leadership roles at two other Jesuit institutions, will serve as special assistant to the president for mission integration. Reporting to him as assistant vice president for the Grace Center will be Barb Karper HA ’07. She will have two direct reports – Nicole (Adams) Flores ’02, who has been promoted to director of cultural and social engagement, and Kasha Godleski HA ’23, who has been named the inaugural director of the Grace Center (she previously served as senior director of alumni/parent engagement and major events.) Godleski will supervise the retreat and faith formation minister (Nora O’Malley), music minister/coordinator of the chapel choir (to be hired) and music director for special events (Greg Giovanni). Father Malloy will also serve as the College chaplain.

Also reporting to Godleski will be two individuals who will work on the Le Moyne Way, a campus-wide initiative to further incorporate mission into academics, service activities and other aspects of campus life. Funded through a generous gift to the College from the Put God First Foundation, Isaiah Salter G ‘24 and Grace Thomas ’24, G ‘25 have been hired for the Le Moyne Way. Both were student-athletes while attending Le Moyne, where they were part of the Le Moyne Way program that is a key component of the overall experience for all varsity athletes.

“The work of the Grace Center is a reflection of Le Moyne’s unwavering commitment to educate and care for the whole person – mind, body and spirit – while cultivating a campus community rooted in reflection, purpose and a shared responsibility for one another,” said President LeMura. “I’m excited by the many ways the center will raise the involvement of students, faculty, administrators, alumni and community partners to strengthen our identity as a Jesuit institution committed to service, faith and forming leaders who are compassionate, inclusive and grounded in social justice.”