VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY NAMES PETER M. DONOHUE, O.S.A.
Augustinian Named to Succeed Edmund J. Dobbin, O.S.A.
VILLANOVA, PA (December 13, 2005) – The Board of Trustees of Villanova University today elected Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A. as the University’s 32nd president to succeed Edmund J. Dobbin, O.S.A. who has announced his intention to step down as president at the conclusion of the 2005-2006 academic year.
Father Donohue is currently a tenured associate professor and the chairperson of Villanova’s theatre department, a position he assumed in 1992. A recognized University leader, Father Donohue is a highly sought after academician, teacher, minister, colleague and lecturer. He is a member of the Augustinian Institute Advisory Board and has served on numerous committees at Villanova including, as faculty representative on the Board of Trustees Academic Affairs Committee, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Diversity Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee, and the University Judicial Boards. In addition he served on the NCAA Certification Self-Study committees of 1996-1997 and 2001-2002. Father Donohue served two terms as a member of the Board of Trustees of Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts.
An award-winning director, Father Donohue received five Barrymore nominations for Outstanding Direction of a Musical for Parade, Children of Eden, Into the Woods, Evita, and Chicago, which received nine nominations and three 2002 Barrymore Awards, including Outstanding Direction of a Musical.
A devoted liturgical minister, Father Donohue regularly celebrates weddings for Villanova alumni and conducts the Sunday evening Mass for the Villanova community. Father Donohue is the long time Chaplain of the University’s Navy ROTC program, offering counsel to midshipmen, presiding over the annual commissioning Mass and lecturing in the Senior Leadership Seminar.
Father Donohue’s selection caps a six-month process in which many outstanding Augustinian candidates were identified and considered as possible successors to Father Dobbin.
“The conclusion of Father Dobbin’s presidency is both a challenge and an opportunity in the history of Villanova University,” said John G. Drosdick, chairman of the university’s Board of Trustees. “We enthusiastically look forward to working with Father Donohue to build on Father Dobbin’s legacy, while at the same time recognizing the incredible potential of the upcoming years. Father Donohue’s leadership in the Arts, and his proven ability to forge positive and productive relationships with Villanova faculty, students, staff and alumni will be of critical importance as we further Villanova’s reputation as one of the country’s great universities.
“We are all greatly indebted to Father Dobbin for his 18 remarkable years of exceptional leadership. We are very appreciative of all the significant advancements made by Villanova during his tenure. All one needs to do is tour our campus, engage in a conversation with students about our mission, review our national academic rankings, and understand the outstanding qualifications of our student body, to realize the legacy he has left for Villanova.”
Added Herbert F. Aspbury, vice chairman of the Board of Trustees and chair of the Presidential Special Committee, “Father Donohue is an extraordinary choice to become Villanova’s 32nd president. He combines significant academic strengths with demonstrated administrative skills and tremendous charisma. He also epitomizes Villanova’s values of Veritas, Unitas Caritas (truth, unity and love) and serves as a great role model for students and alumni alike.”
The Rev. Donald F. Reilly, O.S.A., Prior Provincial of the Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova and trustee, stated: “The Augustinians congratulate Father Donohue and extend their fraternal support and prayers during this exciting time for the University. He is well suited to carry on the Augustinian tradition that is at the very heart of Villanova.”
Father Donohue said, “I thank the Board of Trustees for the honor and responsibility of leading Villanova University. I look forward to working closely with Father Dobbin in preparing for a smooth transition.”
The 53 year-old Father Donohue is a native of Bronx, New York. He was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in the Order of Saint Augustine in 1979 and graduated from Villanova University in 1975 with a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in theatre/communication arts. He received an M.A. in theatre from The Catholic University of America in 1983. In 1985, he received a Masters of Divinity from the Washington Theological Union. In 1992, he received his Ph.D. in theatre from the University of Illinois where he also received outstanding teaching honors.
About Villanova University
Villanova University, founded by the Order of Saint Augustine in 1842, is a co-educational Roman Catholic institution comprised of five colleges: Liberal Arts and Sciences, Engineering, Commerce and Finance, Nursing and the School of Law. With a total enrollment of 10,300 undergraduate, graduate and law students, Villanova is the oldest and largest catholic university in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. For more than a decade, Villanova University has been ranked #1 by US News and World Report in the Best Universities—Master’s category in the northern region.
