"Farewell, Father" Telegram & Gazette Read Time 1 Minute Issues and Ideas to share his favorite moments and proudest accomplishments, as well as what he"ll miss most about Holy Cross and Worcester. He said he will miss the people here and added, “I do like Worcester. It's really a very interesting community. A lot of really hard-working people, and a great sense of community here. People have great pride in their city.”Fr. McFarland will step down at the end of the month after a twelve-year tenure. Among many other things, during his time as president, he oversaw: the addition of more than 400,000 square feet of new building space; a 61 percent increase in the College's endowment, which now stands at nearly $617 million; financial aid initiatives, including a program whereby Worcester students admitted to Holy Cross whose families earn less than $50,000 per year receive free tuition; an expanded applicant pool and the simultaneous increase in the diversity of the student body; as well as significant community partnerships in Worcester. But a large part of his presidency has been his time with students. Lauren D'Abrosca '12, co-president of the Student Government Association, described Fr. McFarland as being the type of person you never needed an introduction to say hello to. “As a student, it could be almost a nerve-wracking experience sitting down with the president of your college. … And he doesn't make it like that at all,” she said. Read the Telegram & Gazette story This "Holy Cross in the News" item by Kristine Maloney. More Stories Image Go to Story Experience Student Life at Holy Cross Image Go to Story Laurie Leshin to Deliver 2024 Holy Cross Commencement Address Image Go to Story Angel Collazo ’26 is on Multiple Missions View All Stories