Hall of Fame

Heath

Ray Heath, Ph.D.

  • Class
  • Induction
    2016
  • Sport(s)
    Administration, Honorary Members
Retired in 2014 after a distinguished career in higher education administration, Dr. Raymond P. Heath served as Vice President for Student Life at Marywood from 1996-2014. While overseeing the athletics program, Dr. Heath helped Marywood expand from just 11 varsity sports prior to his arrival to 19 NCAA Division III programs at the time of his retirement with plans of a 20th varsity sport (Women's Golf began competition shortly after in the fall of 2015). 
 
During his tenure, Marywood teams earned six NCAA tournament appearances, 27 PAC/CSAC Championships and 26 more runner-up finishes. Dr. Heath was also the main driving force in Marywood joining the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) in 2010 where teams have thus far earned one post-season championship (Women’s Soccer, 2010) and three runner-up finishes.
 
In 2010-11, for the first time in program history, Marywood earned all three Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) President's Cups, sweeping the competition for the Overall, Men's and Women's awards. Marywood won the Women's President's Cup again in 2011-12 and 2012-13. The President's Cup is awarded annually to the Men's, Women's and Overall athletics programs with the highest competitive percentage rating, based on championship finish and regular season play.
 
Dr. Heath also oversaw the expansion and improvements of Marywood’s athletic facilities, as well as numerous other facilities within the Student Life division. During his tenure, Marywood added the Center for Athletics and Wellness, Aquatics Center and Turf Field. In addition, each grass field saw major renovations and improvements. 
 
Throughout most of his professional life, Ray Heath has held senior leadership roles in student affairs at independent universities. A 1965 graduate of Providence College, he earned a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University and completed further study at the Institute for Educational Management at Harvard. His career includes service as: teacher of English and coach at Hillhouse High School in Connecticut; Administrative Associate in the Student Unions at The Ohio State University; Dean of Freshmen at Ohio Wesleyan University; Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs/Associate Professor of Education at La Salle University in Philadelphia; and Vice President for Student Life/Associate Professor of Education at Marywood University.
 
Dr. Heath’s professional activity included involvement in several organizations, particularly NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. A former vice president of NASPA’s Region II and long-term member of the NASPA Journal Editorial Board, Ray was among the founders of NASPA’s Small Colleges and Universities Institute. Honored with the Ignatian Medal by the Jesuit Association of Student Personnel Administrators in 1990, he was inducted as a Pillar of the Profession in 2008 by the NASPA Foundation and was the 2014 recipient of the Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding Performance, the organization’s highest honor.
 
Since he retired in 2014, Dr. Heath has remained active in mediation work and in varied community service roles with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Montgomery County (Pa.) and other similar programs. He currently resides in Ambler, Pa. with his wife of many years, Carol. 

*Bio written at time of induction
 
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