NEW ORLEANS – A former University of Holy Cross (UHC) undergraduate student will now serve as the school’s president. On July 15, Dr. Stanton F. McNeely III will become the 19th president in UHC’s 103-year history, succeeding Dr. David M. “Buck” Landry who retired earlier this year.
For the past two years, McNeely has led the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, but he has previously served numerous positions at UHC, including vice president of institutional advancement, director of admissions, director of student affairs, and assistant to the dean of sciences.
McNeely was also a business professor at the University of Holy Cross in the 2000s.
“I am deeply grateful to have been selected by the Board of Trustees to serve as the next president for the University of Holy Cross,” said McNeely. “I look forward to working with the entire UHC family as we move forward together in faith, spirit, and action to fulfill the missions of the Marianite sisters and the University of Holy Cross.”
After graduating from UHC, the 46-year-old New Orleans native and 1991 graduate of Jesuit High School earned an MBA from Loyola University and a doctorate in education from Northcentral University.
He was chosen from among 35 candidates who applied from around the country for the university’s top post, which was held for the past five years by Landry. The top candidates were interviewed by the UHC Board of Trustees search committee, and two final candidates were referred for the full Board of Trustees vote. The University of Holy Cross Board of Trustees voted and approved McNeely’s selection during a special meeting held in late June.
UHC Board of Trustees chair Dennise V. Tabony called McNeely’s appointment the perfect choice for the university as it continues to expand its educational programs in high demand areas and grows its physical footprint at the Algiers campus.
“This will be an exciting homecoming for Stanton who has been endeared to the University of Holy Cross community for decades and knows the importance of our mission to educate the minds and hearts of future generations,” said Tabony. “Starting as a college freshman at UHC and working his way up to professor and administrator here over the years uniquely qualifies Stanton to lead this very vital New Orleans institution as it continues its second century of personalized education.”
