The College of the Holy Cross (or, Holy Cross) is an undergraduate Roman Catholic liberal arts college located in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. Founded in 1843, Holy Cross is the oldest Roman Catholic college in New England and one of the oldest in the United States. Opened as a school for boys under the auspices of the Society of Jesus, it was the first Jesuit college in New England. Today, Holy Cross is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) and is part of the Colleges of Worcester Consortium (COWC). Students are encouraged to become "men and women for others" and question, "What is our special responsibility to the world's poor and powerless?" as noted in the College Mission Statement. As of March 2010, the Holy Cross endowment was valued at $570 million. On July 1, 2000, Rev. Michael C. McFarland, S.J. became the current president of the college. On February 3, 2011, Fr. McFarland announced his resignation as President of the College, and a national search, led by the Board of Trustees, was conducted to find his successor. On May 7, 2011, Rev. Philip L. Boroughs, S.J.