Mary Joan Coultas, former president of La Roche University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, passed away on August 2. She was 92 years old.
A member of the Sisters of Divine Providence, Dr. Coultas earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, a master’s degree in counseling from the University of Dayton in Ohio, and a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Coultas began her career at what was then La Roche College as a professor of psychology. She later served as dean of students. In 1975, she was named president of La Roche and served in that capacity until 1981. During Dr. Coultas’ presidency, the college increased its enrollment, conducted its first capital campaign to fund the Palumbo Science Center, constructed new residence halls, and established its first graduate degree program in human resources management.
From 1994 to 2012, Dr. Coultas served on La Roche University’s board of trustees, and continued as a trustee emerita. In 2014, the university awarded her an honorary doctorate.