When Christopher E. Hopey, Ph.D., became the eighth president of
Merrimack College in 2010, it was an institution on the brink of greatness. Learn more about President Hopey’s contributions to Merrimack’s era of record growth and investment in the future.
President Christopher E. Hopey, Ph.D., has presided over an era of unprecedented success at Merrimack College, marked by record applications and enrollments at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, significant growth in faculty ranks, the completion of a successful major capital campaign, and transformative investment in new residence halls, academic buildings and athletics facilities.
Reflecting the college’s new spirit and identity, Merrimack is now a top-50 school in U.S. News’ regional universities in the north and one of the ten “Most Transformative” institutions in the country according to Money Magazine.
Under Dr. Hopey’s leadership, Merrimack College effectively implemented a strategic plan called the Agenda for Distinction (2010-2020) that led to the institution’s revitalization. He then built upon that success by bringing the College community together once again to develop a new strategic plan, the Agenda for the Future (2021-2026). This roadmap features three strategic directions, Growth, Mission and Impact, and to propel the College’s vision, expand its aspirations and meet its ambitious goals to play a larger role in a changing global society.
Dr. Hopey also spearheaded the celebration of Merrimack College’s 75th anniversary. The Because We Believe campaign featured events, stories and highlights of the College’s growth and accomplishments over seven and half decades.
Hover over the areas below to see a selection of milestones that Merrimack has reached during President Hopey’s tenure at the College.
Full-time faculty has grown to more than 210 members
4,000+ undergraduate and 1,300+ graduate students
Largest first-year class in Merrimack history
Elevation to Division I Athletics
More than 30,000 square feet of added research space
$63.5 million raised through the Together For Good campaign
Launch of the Early College Program and Pioneer Scholars at Abbott Lawrence Academy
In addition to the transformational growth of Merrimack’s reputation, Dr. Hopey has overseen the tremendous physical growth of the institution’s campus. During his tenure, more than 1 million square feet of academic and residential space has been constructed or renovated into state-of-the-art teaching, learning and living spaces.
This includes the construction of Crowe Hall, home to the Girard School of Business; the Nursing Center; the Arcidi Center, which welcomes more than TK prospective students and families each year; and the new multiuse, 4,000 spectator capacity Duane Stadium.
Merrimack College also added the Center for Innovation and Research in Engineering and Computational Science, the institution’s new hub for STEM education and research hub, and completed a renovation and modernization of the Collegiate Church of Christ the Teacher and Student Union, giving Merrimack a true campus gateway.
Funded research has grown across the institution, with national foundations such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation and NASA supporting faculty-student collaborations in health sciences, engineering and other fields.
The College’s longstanding commitment to the City of Lawrence has significantly advanced with the establishment of Hands to Help, as well as the Early College Program and Pioneer Scholars, a unique dual enrollment program that enables high school students from Lawrence to earn college credits on Merrimack’s campus and the opportunity to earn a full scholarship to Merrimack.
The College’s Evening of Gratitude returned for the first time since 2019 and celebrated donors and supporters whose gifts have fundamentally altered the trajectory of the institution in a positive and impactful way. Additionally, Dr. Joseph Kelley, professor of religious and theological studies, received the Merrimack College Saint Augustine Medal.
