President, University of Detroit Mercy
2022
Citation:
Whereas, President Antoine M. Garibaldi has announced that he will conclude his tenure as President of University of Detroit Mercy (Detroit Mercy) effective June 30, 2022; and
Whereas, President Garibaldi has given 11 years of unwavering service to Detroit Mercy as its 25th and first lay and African American President; and
Whereas, President Garibaldi has led the University in achieving multiple strategic goals in enrollment and retention, academics, fundraising, infrastructure improvement and community engagement; and
Whereas, under his leadership, the University’s endowment has grown from $25.9 million in 2011 to nearly $100 million today and The Campaign for University of Detroit Mercy concluded one year ahead of schedule in 2019, and exceeding its goal of $100 million; and
Whereas, President Garibaldi has been passionate about the University being student-centered, making education affordable through the creation of the Detroit Mercy Catholic Education University Grant in 2014, which has provided scholarships to nearly 1,000 graduates of Archdiocese of Detroit Catholic schools, and implementing a significant undergraduate tuition reset to a lower rate in 2018; and
Whereas, during President Garibaldi’s tenure, the University in 2021 enrolled its largest freshman class on the McNichols Campus since 2009; and
Whereas, President Garibaldi, through his exceptional leadership to the University since 2011, secured more than $33 million for the University through several competitive federal and private grants, including a $21.2 million BUILD grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH); and
Whereas, President Garibaldi enhanced the academic reputation of the university through successful accreditations, launching new programs, opening the Novi campus and supporting faculty to develop their vision of academic excellence; and
Whereas, in addition to his accomplishments with the University, President Garibaldi brought a leadership style that focused on the University as a community, creating an environment that cultivated and strengthened the unique relationship between the University and the Livernois/McNichols corridor resulting in significant funding for Live6 Alliance, an economic development organization that President Garibaldi co-founded with The Kresge Foundation in 2015; and
Whereas, President Garibaldi has shared his educational expertise and civic mindfulness through his service on many local, regional and national boards of higher education and beyond, including: the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU); Conference for Mercy Higher Education (CMHE); Council for Higher Education
Accreditation (CHEA); Horizon League Athletic Conference; the Michigan Independent Colleges & Universities (MICU); Brother Rice High School; Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, which he was elected to Chair in December 2021; Invest Detroit; Live6 Alliance; Marygrove Conservancy; and New Detroit, Inc.; and
Whereas, as an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees, President Garibaldi has fostered collaboration and goodwill among the Board members, shown great vision and embodied the highest standards of leadership with his broad perspective and sense of humor; and
Whereas, President Garibaldi has been a worthy steward in steering the University on a positive course for 11 years and leaving it well prepared for the future, touching the lives of countless people served by the institution.
Resolved that the Board of Trustees extends its utmost appreciation to President Garibaldi for his leadership and outstanding service to University of Detroit Mercy, and extends its sincere heartfelt best wishes to him and his wife, Carol, as they enter the next chapter of their lives; and
Further Resolved that the Board of Trustees confers upon Antoine M. Garibaldi the title President Emeritus of University of Detroit Mercy, with all the privileges pertaining to it effective June 30, 2022.
Signed by Michael T. McNamara, Chair, Board of Trustees.