Christendom College President Timothy O’Donnell plans to retire from the presidency after the 2023-24 academic year.
For more than 30 years and two-thirds of the college’s existence, O’Donnell has developed Christendom into what the Cardinal Newman Society has called a “standard for faithful Catholic higher education.”
Under O’Donnell’s leadership, the college initiated two international study abroad opportunities in Rome and Ireland, and new campus buildings including Christ the King Chapel, St. John the Evangelist Library, St. Louis the Crusader Gymnasium, St. Lawrence Commons, and several residence halls. Christendom’s alumni base has grown to nearly 4,000 with 166 alumni priests and religious among their ranks. The college has also been blessed with the growth of its endowment from $200,000 to more than $28 million while adhering to its commitment of no government funding. Additionally, during his tenure, undergraduate student enrollment has increased from 144 to nearly 550.
Further under his leadership, Christendom merged with the Notre Dame Institute to form the Christendom College Graduate School of Theology, expanding its offerings to graduate-level theological and catechetical programs.
“We have been so blessed over the past 30 years with Dr. O’Donnell’s faithful and dedicated leadership,” said Stephen O’Keefe, chairman of the board of directors. “Not only did I enjoy learning from Dr. O’Donnell as a student, but also working alongside him as a member of the college’s board. On behalf of the board of directors and our entire Christendom family, I want to express our gratitude. He brings to mind the famous words of our founder, Dr. Warren Carroll: ‘One man can make a difference.’ Words cannot describe the impact that Dr. O’Donnell’s work has had on leading so many lives to the Truth Incarnate.”
In recognition of O’Donnell’s achievements and longstanding loyalty to the mission of Christendom, the board will award him the title “President Emeritus,” effective upon his retirement.
“In many ways, the work of Christendom College has just started,” said O’Donnell. “The world needs men and women of Christendom now more than ever. With great confidence, I can say we are poised and ready for the future — ready to continue our mission ‘to restore all things in Christ,’ by forming men and women to contribute to the Christian renovation of the temporal order,” said O’Donnell.
O’Donnell will continue to serve as president through the next academic year (2023-24). Following a well-earned sabbatical, he will continue to serve the college as a member of the board of directors and as a professor of history and theology, and will assist the college in other ways, such as the St. Columcille Institute in Ireland and the junior semester in Rome.
“We are grateful that his many talents, experience, and good judgment will grace and guide our community for many years to come,” said O’Keefe.
In light of O’Donnell’s announcement, the college’s board has begun its work to find the right leader to fill the position of president beginning in 2024.
The board has assembled a search committee consisting of Board Members Martin Boles, Tim Halisky (’01), Karla Hester (’99, treasurer), Stephen O’Keefe (’93, chairman) and chaired by Michele Velasco (’90, vice chairman). The search committee’s role is to recommend the top candidates to the board who, under the bylaws of Christendom, elect its next president. The search committee is seeking qualified candidates who are faithful to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church and possess a deep understanding and commitment to the mission of Christendom College.
“The Search Committee knows the gravity of the task before it. We are fully committed — under the guidance of the Holy Spirit — to identify the candidate that God in His providence has prepared to help shepherd the college in the coming years,” said Velasco. “It is our firm intent and prayer to continue Dr. O’Donnell’s legacy of a faithful Catholic educational apostolate.”
The search committee has engaged an executive search firm, Hand & Associates, whose expert team is very familiar with the college and its mission. They will assist in identifying the most highly qualified candidates nationwide. Further, the search committee has initiated the process of meeting with college constituents, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, parents and supporters. The committee will seek insights on what constituents find to be the key attributes, characteristics, and qualifications needed by the next president.
The board of directors asks all members of the Christendom community and the faithful to pray daily to the Holy Spirit for wisdom and guidance as the college proceeds through this eventful time. Christendom College has been blessed for 45 years with exceptional leadership and growth. The college is excited about what God has planned for the Christendom community in this next chapter.
