Ave Maria University: Towey to become new CEO and President; Monaghan steps down

Some news coming out of Florida, from NaplesNews.com:

Jim Towey - New CEO of Ave Maria University 

Tom Monaghan and his founding president at Ave Maria University are handing over the reins.

While Monaghan, AMU’s founder and greatest benefactor, will retain the role of chancellor, he is handing off the day-to-day role of CEO to Jim Towey, a Florida native and one-time George W. Bush advisor. Towey, the president of Pennsylvania’s Saint Vincent College until June 2010, will also assume the role of president at the university when current President Nick Healy retires in July.

"We’ve been talking about this for some time with the board," Monaghan, 73, said. "Of course, everybody knows my age. And, Jim kind of came out of the blue."

Healy, also 73, and said he was happy handing over his post to Towey, who at one time served as legal counsel for Mother Theresa of Calcutta and her charitable activities in North America.

For those that don't know, both myself and Brian (who is very busy with his law practice - hence the lack of posts) attended Ave Maria School of Law. So although we weren't students at either the AM College (in Ypsilanti, MI) or the University (in Ave Maria, FL) we were close to the whole Ave Maria situation. I can say I have been a critic of what has happened in the past, at least at the law school, but I have kept if off my blog. I do find this story important though, because whether we like it or not, Ave Maria is probably the most notable "new" Catholic University and Law school in the country, both for positive and negative reasons.

A lot of the controversy over the school has come from the words and actions of Mr. Monaghan. As someone that has been affiliated with Monaghan "projects" for over 20 years, I have seen a course of action that isn't confined to one or two "decisions." To say that he is both the best and worst asset the Ave Maria world has is not to exaggerate. As the University and Law school move into their next phase of existence: sustainability and growth, the choice for positions like CEO and President are important ones. I am not sure how this situation will pan out, but the folks at CatholicVote.org via Joshua Mercer, seem to be pretty optimistic:

Ave Maria University - NaplesNews.com

Kudos on AMU for selecting an excellent candidate as their next President and CEO (are college presidents often given the title CEO?)

Jim Towey previously served as President of St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., from 2006 until last summer. Before St. Vincent’s, Towey was Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives under President George W. Bush.

Towey also worked with Mother Teresa for many years. From 1985 until her death, Towey represented Mother Teresa on legal matters in the United States and Canada. He also served two years full-time as a volunteer in Mexico in one of Mother Teresa’s missions and also in her Washington, DC, home for people suffering from AIDS.

For three years as President of St. Vincent’s College, he would travel to India with students to work in the missions started by Mother Teresa.

Jim Towey will be excellent choice for Ave Maria University.

I pray for the University and Law school a lot, and so should you. The future of American Catholic higher education rests in the arms of such places, and it would do us all well to see them succeed despite any shortcomings that may exist.

Jim Towey seems to be a strong candidate to take over for Monaghan and Healy, so I hope that Mercer and the other folks applauding this move are correct.

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