PHILADELPHIA (October 21, 2010) -- It was 1971 when women first took their seats as undergraduate day students at Saint Joseph’s University. Today, members of that first groundbreaking class, and those who followed, are recognized leaders in their respective fields. In celebration of these women, and 40 years of co-education at the University, the Haub School of Business (HSB) has developed an executive lecture series, “The Spirit of Women.” When HSB Dean Joseph DiAngelo Jr., Ed.D. ’70 envisioned the lecture series, he says he wanted to celebrate remarkable alumnae of the University while offering students an opportunity to engage with this community and learn from their leadership.

“These women: Rosemarie Greco ’75, Adele Oliva ’87, Mary Lou Quinlan ’75, and Gerianne DiPiano ’92, have so much to offer our students in terms of leadership, service and networking,” says DiAngelo. “Their presentations will be most helpful to our students as they transition from academia to their careers.” Greco, former president of CoreStates Bank and once regarded as the highest-ranking woman in banking in the country, will kickoff the lecture series with her presentation, “From leading women to Women Leading, a Path to America’s Promise,” on Wednesday, Oct. 27., in Mandeville Hall’s Wolfington Teletorium.

As a former trustee of the University, Greco has contributed to the University’s effort to encourage gender and cultural diversity on campus. She believes the University has made great strides in this effort. “Fifty percent of students in our business school, for example, are women,” says Greco. “That says something. People don’t flock to a place where they won’t feel accepted as colleagues.” While Saint Joseph’s has proactively worked to achieve gender neutrality on campus, Greco says it’s taking a longer time in government and corporate America. In her current role as co-chair of “Vision 2020: An American Conversation about Women and Leadership,” Greco hopes to accelerate these issues over the next decade. “The Spirit of Women” is one in a series of lecture opportunities aimed toward the achievement of this goal.

“Spirit of Women” Upcoming Events Adele Oliva ’87 — Nov. 2, 11:30 a.m. Mary Lou Quinlan ’75 — Dec. 2, 5:30 p.m. SJU Women’s Leadership Council — Feb. 28, 5:30 p.m. Gerianne DiPiano ’92 (Hall of Fame Recipient) — Apr. 7, 6 p.m. “The Spirit of Women” lecture series is sponsored by the Erivan K. Haub School of Business, SJU Women’s Leadership Council, Hawk Women and the American Marketing Association. Click here for more information.