Dr. Michael A. MacDowell
Michael A. MacDowell became College Misericordia's twelfth president in July of 1998. A native of Santa Monica, California, Dr. MacDowell previously served for nine years as a vice president at Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York (1989-1998). Before joining Hartwick, he was president of the National Council on Economic Education in New York City for twelve years. In addition to his presidency, Dr. MacDowell is a professor of economics.
Mike is the immediate past vice chairman of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry, where he remains on the Board and chairs their Governmental Affairs Committee. He serves on the Executive Committee of the Great Valley Technology Alliance. Mike is past chair of the Council of Presidents (COPs), a collaborative effort of Luzerne County's five public and private colleges and universities. He is a vice president of the Northeast Pennsylvania Boy Scout Council.
Dr. MacDowell was instrumental in establishing the Back Mountain Historical Association, an affiliate of the Luzerne County Historical Society.
During his second year as president of Misericordia, the College established its Women with Children program, which allows single women to live in special College housing for free, along with subsidizing their college tuition and child care.
Dr. MacDowell is married to the former Tina Johnson, who is also very active in the community.
College Misericordia is founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of Dallas and is the oldest traditional four year college in Luzerne County. It focuses on academic excellence, professional preparation and service leadership. College Misericordia serves 1325 full-time and enrolls 400 part- time graduate and undergraduate students in 29 majors.