Bishop Dewane Celebrates AMU Opening Mass

Published on Friday, 07 September 2012 21:13

bishop-gyrenes-350Bishop Frank Dewane celebrated the official opening Mass for Ave Maria University Friday, welcoming more than 850 undergraduate students to the school. At right, Bishop Dewane with members of the AMU football team, flanked by Coach Kevin Joyce (L) and Fr. Michael Goodyear.

The Mass was originally planned to take place on the scheduled start of the fall term Aug. 27, but was postponed when the university closed that day because of Tropical Storm Isaac.

AMU offers "a faith dimension you'll find in few other places," Bishop Dewane told the students and faculty members who filled the oratory.

The number of students on campus is higher than ever, President Jim Towey said, with about 175 more students than there were last semester.

There are two new faces in the university's administration this term as well. William Kirk, a former head of the Residence Life office at Notre Dame University, started last month as AMU's Vice President of Student Affairs and General Counsel. (See previous Ave Herald story here)

Mr. Towey also announced the hiring of Ken Ferguson as the school's Vice President of Finance and Administration. Mr. Ferguson is a certified public accountant who has held a number of chief financial officer positions, including serving in that role for National Geographic Television and Film for 10 years. He recently served as a member of the Board of Directors of Christendom College and was a member of their Finance and Audit Committee.