Misericordia University Appoints New Board Trustees

The Board of Trustees of Misericordia University (MU) approved two new members during its June meeting.

Joining the board are Mary Griffin Cummings, Esq. (on the left) and Misericordia University alumnus Adam Grzech ’13 ‘17 (on the right).

Board of Trustees Chair Deborah Smith-Mileski, Ed.D., said, “During our centennial year, we are privileged to welcome two caring, compassionate leaders to our board of trustees. As a former Misericordia alumni association president and successful business executive, Adam is a strong supporter of our mission through his volunteer activities and philanthropy. Similarly, Mary’s legal expertise, recognized professional success, and leadership in various community activities in Northeast Pennsylvania greatly enrich our board culture as well.”

Cummings, who is executive vice president and general counsel at Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company, has established herself as a leader in the legal and banking sectors. Her career has included positions at area organizations such as FNCB Bank, Rosenn Jenkins & Greenwald, and Wyoming Valley Health Care System.

She is a native of Towanda, PA who obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from The Pennsylvania State University and then pursued a Juris Doctor from the Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle, PA. She is a member of the Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association and the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

Cummings’ legal expertise is matched only by her dedication to community service. She volunteered at the Catherine McAuley House and serves as chair of the board of trustees of the Catherine McAuley Center. She also sits on the board of trustees and the nominating and governance committee of the McGlynn Learning Center.

Cummings has been actively involved with the Sisters of Mercy and has received numerous accolades for her leadership and philanthropy, including the 2010 Mercy Woman of the Year and Women Making an Impact award from Dress For Success Lackawanna.

Cummings has a deep connection with Misericordia University that extends through her family, as she proudly acknowledges her aunt, the late Mary Ellen Griffin Landy, who is a distinguished alumna of the university. Cummings also delivered the commencement address at Misericordia University’s spring graduate ceremony in 2024 where she received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

Grzech serves as director of operations for Keystone Automotive. He has been with the organization for eight years holding various roles in multiple locations throughout the U.S. He enjoys the constant change of the supply chain environment as well as mentoring others.

Grzech, who resides in Novi, MI, with his wife Erin F. Grzech (Kain), a ’14 MU graduate, and their son John, is a native of Mountain Top and the son of John and Linda Grzech.

Grzech is a graduate of Crestwood High School who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from MU in ‘13 and a Master of Business Administration in ‘17. As an undergraduate student, he competed on the MU men’s swim team and later served as the graduate assistant for the swim team while earning his MBA.

A fan of auto racing, Grzech serves on the board of Waterford Hills Road Racing where he aims to grow the sport. He is a parishioner of Prince of Peace Catholic Church, and a member of the MU Alumni Board –where he served as board president and an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees during that time.

In his free time, Grzech competes in auto racing through the Sports Car Club of America spec Miata Class; skis every chance he gets; and enjoys playing golf with his wife.