Sacred Heart University announces new president
Gilberto Marxuach-Torrós
Sacred Heart University in Santurce has a new president, Gilberto Marxuach-Torrós, named by the institution’s trustees to succeed José Jaime Rivera, who announced his resignation in February after heading the Catholic college for more than two decades.
Marxuach-Torrós, an attorney with a degree from Yale Law School and a bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame, takes over the reins of the college after serving in different professional fields.
“We’re very proud about his appointment. He’s a professional with vast experience and integrity and a family man raised in the catholic faith,” said José Rafael Fernández, chairman of Sacred Heart’s board of trustees. “He grew up in a family environment closely identified with Sacred Heart. He comes to us after a diverse career in legal practice, public service and business.”
Prior to his appointment, Marxuach-Torrós served as law clerk in the Puerto Rico Supreme Court, spent a decade in private practice, two and half years in public service and, most recently, at his own legal and consultancy firm.
“His career has been marked by a deep commitment to education and Christian values. He is a firm believer in the importance of education for the development of Puerto Rico,” Fernández said.
“Not only does he fully comply with the professional, academic and religious requirements that the position of president of Sacred Heart, but, in our opinion, is the best person to lead the development of our institution in these times of great social, moral and economic challenges,” he added.
For his part, during a news conference Monday morning, Marxuach-Torrós said to be accepting the new responsibility with “humility and great commitment.”
“Sacred Heart University holds a very special place in my family history and the history of Puerto Rico. I firmly believe in its mission to educate men and women on intellectual freedom and moral awareness who are willing to build a truly Christian society,” he said.
The university set out on its search for a new president in February, after Rivera announced he would be stepping down from the post effective June 30. For several months, a selection committee of the board of trustees conducted a thorough search that culminated in the selection and recommendation of Marxuach–Torrós as the new president.
His appointment was evaluated and endorsed by the university’s board of trustees, Fernández said.
