A Legacy of Servant Leadership
1926-2024
By Michael Valdes
A scholar, author and dedicated servant-leader, Sister Margaret Patrice Slattery served as the President of the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW), then called Incarnate Word College, from 1972 to 1985. During her tenure, Sister Margaret Patrice contributed to the University's growth and development in ways that forever changed the trajectory of UIW.
A remarkable scholar, she authored "Promises to Keep," a two-volume history of the Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, which received recognition from the Texas Catholic Historical Society for its outstanding contribution. Her exceptional leadership and academic achievements led to her being acknowledged as one of San Antonio's brightest and best as well as one of the most outstanding women in the city.
Originally hailing from St. Louis, Sister Margaret Patrice completed her bachelor's degree at Incarnate Word College, her master's degree at Marquette University, and her doctorate at the Catholic University of America. She further pursued post-doctoral studies at the University of Edinburgh. Before becoming President, she taught and chaired in the English Department and later served as the College’s Academic dean.
Sister Margaret Patrice's visionary leadership extended the University's reach through various initiatives, including the formation of a lay Development Board, the expansion of the Board of Directors to include lay membership and the first lay chairperson, and enhanced student participation in governance structures. Under her guidance, the University transitioned to a co-educational institution, marking a significant milestone in its history.
“I felt we were doing good things and moving forward and creating a very vibrant institution,” said Sister Margaret Patrice in a previous interview. “We became co-educational. I interviewed the first young man to become a full-time student at Incarnate Word. The faculty changed as the student body changed as the curriculum changed – a lot of changes during that time.”
Sister Margaret Patrice oversaw the development of the campus, including the establishment of the west campus for athletic fields. She also prioritized student support, allocating funds from her inaugural ceremony to start the President's Scholarship Fund. In the interest of transparency, she initiated open meetings with faculty and students to discuss campus changes and ensured that board decisions were communicated across the University.
During her tenure, UIW experienced unprecedented internal expansion, adding numerous undergraduate and graduate degree programs. New undergraduate programs were introduced in diverse fields, including childcare, human relations, nuclear medicine, allied health science, fashion merchandising, interior design and fashion design. Additionally, changes to the business program and the introduction of computer information systems reflected Sister Margaret Patrice's commitment to academic innovation.
Sister Margaret Patrice's legacy also includes the establishment of the Swing-In golf tournament fundraiser in 1977, which has raised multi-millions in funds dedicated to student scholarships and is still a signature event of the University today.
“Sr. Margaret Patrice Slattery was one of our University’s most transformative leaders,” says Dr. Thomas M. Evans, UIW president. “The expansion of programs, development of campus and great care for student support are among the many ways she shaped what would become the University of the Incarnate Word. From the earliest days of my presidency, I have continued to look to Sr. Margaret Patrice’s leadership and vision as beacons of inspiration.”
After 13 years of transformative leadership, Sister Margaret Patrice resigned from her presidential role in 1985, emphasizing the evolving nature of education and the need for dynamic leadership. She then assumed the newly created position of Chancellor with a focus on external relations until her retirement, leaving behind a lasting impact on UIW's growth and academic excellence.
Through it all, she lived and led by a directive from one of the congregation’s founders, Rev. Mother Pierre Cinquin: “The glory should be for God, the service for others, and the trouble for ourselves.” The University community is forever grateful to Sr. Margaret Patrice for her years of service, her dynamic leadership and her legacy of constantly striving to improve our institution.