Ave Maria University |
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Board of Trustees
 | Patricia Donahue Dolan |
The CEO for 11 years has provided education policy information. St. Lucy's Auxiliary for 50 years has promoted volunteerism among young women and raises money for the blind. Epiphany fosters spiritual maturation and Aquinas is a K to 12 Catholic School. Mrs. Dolan has been married for 31 years to James J. Dolan, Founder of Access Data and CEO of Voyager Group LP and developer of The Club at Spanish Peaks. Their homes are in Pittsburgh and Montana, where they have six children and one granddaughter. Term: Appointed November 2005 |
Patricia received her B.A. from Rosemont College in 1975. She is a Founder of Commonwealth Education Organization and since inception has served as the Executive Director. She is a board member of the Epiphany Association, St. Lucy's Auxiliary to the Blind (past President) and currently serves as the Vice President of Aquinas Academy's Board. | John F. Donahue |
Term: Appointed October 2002 |
John F. Donahue was born in Pittsburgh, PA, in 1924. In 1946, he married Rhodora Jacob. They are the parents of 13 children, the grandparents of 83 children and the great grandparents of 22 children. Mr. and Mrs. Donahue now reside in Naples, Florida. In 1942, Mr. Donahue enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. While serving in the Air Corps, he was accepted at the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated in 1946 with his pilot's wings and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He served in the U.S. Air Force until 1950, during which time he became an airplane commander in the Strategic Air Command. Following his military service, he became Vice President of King Merritt & Co., an investment company distributor. In 1955, Mr. Donahue was a founder of Federated Investors. The company experienced phenomenal growth, and today is a world class investment manager, with more than $250 Billion in assets under management in more than 194 funds and separate accounts. | Mark c. follett |
He is a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem and Legatus. He belongs to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cathedral Parish in Green Bay. He and his wife reside in Green Bay and have two children. Term: Appointed October 2002 |
Mark C. Follett is founder and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Starboard Media Foundation, Inc. parent of the non-profit, listener-supported, Relevant Radio. In 1979, he joined the family business Anchor Foods, a manufacturer and food service supplier, at that time producing $2 million annual sales with 30 employees. He became president of the firm in 1984 and CEO in 1987. He is a founding member of Mercy Works Foundation with its mission to perform the corporal works of mercy. As CEO of Anchor Foods and as President of the foundation from 1991-2001, Mr. Follett encouraged and practiced corporate tithing on the annual pre-tax earnings of the company. He directed the development of a 15-acre community site for several Christian service agencies that reach out with free services to the poor including the St. Joe's Food Pantry, Community Clothes Closet and Leaven. He also oversees development of additional organizations and the governance of the Midway Outreach Community Association. While attending University of Wisconsin Madison Mr. Follett lived in the St. Francis House community and graduated with a B.B.A. degree in both marketing and management. | Richard M. Gabrys |
 Upon reaching mandatory retirement age in May 2004 Dick Gabrys retired after 42 years with Deloitte & Touche in public accounting serving a variety of public companies, especially automotive manufacturing companies, financial services institutions, public utilities, and health care entities. He was a Vice Chairman in the United States Global Strategic Client Group and served as a member of the Firm's International Global Strategic Client Council. He was the Global and U.S. Leader of the Manufacturing Practice as well as the Global and U.S. Leader of the Automotive Practice. Dick was the Global Advisory Partner for services to BorgWarner, Delphi, Dow Chemical, Tenneco Automotive, Tower Automotive and USG. He served for four years as the Global Advisory Partner for Deloitte's services to General Motors. Prior to becoming responsible for the Manufacturing Group, he served as the operations leader for Deloitte's Financial Institutions Industry Group and served as the U.S. representative on the Global Banking Committee. Early in his career, Dick served GMAC as the lead client service partner. Later, he was the Advisory Partner for GMAC and Washington Mutual. He has also been involved in the health care industry including the provider and insurance sectors as advisory partner on Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Trinity Health. In the Energy Sector he served as Advisory Partner for services to DTE Energy and MCN Energy. He was also the Managing Partner for the Michigan practice for seven years. He is the Interim Dean of the School of Business Administration of Wayne State University, the 29th largest university in the United States. He has been a member of the Boards of Visitors of the School of Business Administration, the School of Nursing and the Gerontology Institute of Wayne State University. He has served as the Board Chair of Detroit Medical Center, a nine hospital academic medical center, Board Chair of the Detroit Regional Chamber and Board Chair of the Michigan State Chamber of Commerce. Dick held the following government appointments. He was appointed by former Governor John M. Engler as a member of the State Board of Accountancy for six years. Governor Engler also appointed Dick as President of the Michigan Education Trust and as a member of the Commission on Financing Postsecondary Education. He was appointed Chairman of the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation by former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer. Dick was a Board Member of the National Association of Manufacturers for four years and was a member of the Board of the Manufacturing Institute. Dick received his B.S. in Accounting from King's College and is a graduate of Stanford University and Northwestern University executive programs. He is also a graduate of the Executive Program at the International Institute of Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland. He is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Michigan. In October 2006 Dick received the MACPA's Distinguished Achievement Award, the highest award that can be given to a CPA in Michigan. The award honors CPAs who have distinguished themselves by outstanding achievement in commerce, industry, governmental and public service as well as civic and social endeavors. Term: Appointed November 2004 |
| Father Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R. |
Term: Appointed October 2002 |
Father Benedict J. Groeschel, CFR, is director of the Office for Spiritual Development of the Archdiocese of New York. He founded and is on the staff of Trinity Retreat, a center for prayer and study for the clergy. John Cardinal O'Connor appointed him promoter of the cause of canonization of the Servant of God Terence Cardinal Cooke in 1994. Previously Father Benedict was chaplain of the Children's Village in Dobbs Ferry, NY for 14 years. Father Benedict obtained a Doctorate in Psychology from Columbia University in 1971 and is Professor of Pastoral Psychology at St. Joseph's Seminary of the Archdiocese of New York. He has taught at Fordham University, Iona College, and Maryknoll Seminary. In May 1987, along with eight other friars, Father Benedict formed the Community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal under the patronage of Cardinal O'Connor. This community, which now has about 80 friars and sisters, follows the Capuchin Tradition and is dedicated to preaching reform and providing care for the homeless in the South Bronx, Harlem, London and Honduras. Father Benedict has published numerous books and tapes on spirituality and pastoral counseling and is familiar to television audiences. | Nicholas J. Healy, Jr. |
Mr. Healy and his wife, Jane, have four children and seven grandchildren. Term: Appointed October 2002 |
Nicholas J. Healy, President of Ave Maria University, came to Ave Maria after serving as Vice President for University Relations at Franciscan University of Steubenville. At Franciscan University, Healy was responsible for Development and Christian outreach. He established the Austrian program, a semester of study abroad and secured the site for the Austrian campus. He also oversaw development of the Language and Catechetical Institute at the Austrian campus to meet the needs of students from Eastern Europe. Working in conjunction with Austria‘s Christoph Cardinal Schönborn, Healy organized and secured funding for the International Theological Institute, a Pontifical institute for graduate theological studies. Healy also was involved in organizing several non-profit foundations related to the activities of the University. Prior to his involvement with Franciscan University, Healy practiced maritime law at Healy & Baillie, with clients that included banks, marine companies and shipowners. The international nature of his work provided opportunity for extensive travel throughout the world. In the course of his career, he soon became a specialist in charter parties (the leasing of ships), co-authoring the definitive book in the field, Time Charters. Healy also taught at New York University School of Law (the institution from which he had graduated in 1963), and was an instructor of maritime law and marine insurance at the United States Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point, New York. In 1980, Healy became Chief Executive Officer and principal owner of Lamorte, Burns & Co., Inc., a nationwide marine insurance claims adjusting service. Under his leadership, the firm increased its services extensively to include ship management and mutual insurance administration. He became a Trustee at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he gained first-hand exposure to many of the challenges facing Catholic higher education. He sold his business in 1987, devoting himself to the service of the Church. He became a full-time member of the Franciscan University administrative staff in 1988, and assumed the presidency of Ave Maria College in 1999. | Paul M. Henkels |
Term: Appointed October 2002 |
Paul M. Henkels is chairman of Henkels & McCoy, Inc., an engineering, construction and maintenance firm operating worldwide for electric, telephone and gas utilities, corporations, institutions and governments. Mr. Henkels graduated from Haverford College with a Bachelor's degree in engineering. He is a recognized expert in labor relations and lectures on ethics in business at numerous colleges and universities. Mr. Henkels is co-Founder and present Chairman of the REACH Alliance (Road to Educational Achievement through Choice), an organization working for school choice in Pennsylvania and the nation. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Governors of Temple University Hospital. He is an active and participating member in many organizations including Legatus, the Papal Foundation, and the Arts & Letters Advisory Council of Notre Dame University. He has been awarded honorary degrees from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary and Chestnut Hill College. Other honors include the Coggeshall Award of the National Electrical Contractors Association for his work in labor relations and codes and standards, Sourin Award from the Catholic Philopatrian Literary Institute, Hogan Award from St. Joseph's University, the Award for Excellence from the Commission for Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania. He is married to Barbara B. Henkels and lives in Plymouth Meeting, PA. They have ten children and an increasing number of grandchildren. | Monsignor Laurence E. Higgins |
Term: Appointed November 2003 |
Monsignor Higgins is the Pastor Emeritus of St. Lawrence. He was born in Derry, Northern Ireland. After a short term in medical school and a brilliant career as an All-Ireland football star, Monsignor Higgins entered the Seminary of All Hallows in Dublin and was ordained a priest for the missions on June 21, 1953. He was assigned to the Diocese of St. Augustine, Florida, and began his priestly service in Miami. In 1958 he was sent to establish a parish in the northwest section of Tampa, which coincidentally was named St. Lawrence. For ten years he served as Vicar General of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. On June 30, 2007, he retired as pastor, but is continuing to serve the people of St. Lawrence as requested and is continuing to be active in the Tampa Bay Area Community, lending his solid values and practicality to many important and sensitive civic issues. | James A. Holman |
|  Jim Holman was born in Pasadena, California on July 9, 1946, one of nine children. He graduated from Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota with a bachelor of arts in government and international relations in June, 1968. Holman received an Earhart Fellowship to study intellectual history.Instead of going directly to grad school, Holman spent three years and four months in the U.S. Navy. He served as river patrol boat patrol officer in South Vietnam, where he was awarded two Bronze Stars and Purple Heart (wounded in combat). On returning to the U.S., Holman served as an instructor in counter-insurgency at the Naval Amphibious School, Coronado, California. After getting out of the navy Holman worked at the inception of the Chicago Reader in 1971, taught English at the Centro Colombo-Americano in Manizales, Colombia in early 1972. He returned to San Diego as a graduate student in philosophy at the University of California, San Diego in the fall of 1972. While attending graduate school Holman started the San Diego Reader, October, 1972, now one of the largest alternative papers in the U.S. In the 1990s he started Catholic monthlies: San Diego News Notes (1990), Los Angeles Mission (1994), San Francisco Faith, and La Cruz de California (1997). In January 2007, these Catholic papers were folded into the news website, California Catholic Daily (www.calcatholic.com). Holman is presently involved in a citizens movement to place pro-life propositions on the California ballot. Holman has been married since 1981, and he and his wife have seven children. Term: Appointed November 2003 |
| thomas s. monaghan |
 Although best known as the founder of Domino's Pizza and former owner of the Detroit Tigers baseball franchise, Thomas S. Monaghan is currently devoting his attention full time to non-profit endeavors, specifically focused on underwriting Catholic higher education. This support primarily flows through the Ave Maria Foundation, which he founded in 1983 and for which he serves as chairman of the board. In 1998, Monaghan provided the impetus for a major initiative in Catholic higher education with the founding of Ave Maria Institute in Ypsilanti, Michigan (which later became Ave Maria College), a Catholic liberal arts institution designed to prepare students for leadership in academics, professional occupations, and service to the greater community. Ave Maria College was the predecessor to Ave Maria University, which was founded in 2003 and which operated in interim facilities in Naples, Florida until its permanent facilities were completed in the summer of 2007. The university's permanent campus is located in Ave Maria, Florida, which is just northeast of Naples. Monaghan serves as the University's chancellor. In addition to supporting the university, the Ave Maria Foundation provided the initial funding for Ave Maria School of Law, a Catholic law school currently located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but slated to move to Ave Maria, Florida (for which Monaghan serves as chairman of the board of governors). The Foundation also helped establish the Thomas More Law Center, a public-interest law firm that provides legal counsel to organizations and individuals whose religious and other freedoms are threatened. In 1987, Monaghan founded Legatus (Latin for "ambassador"), an international organization of Catholic CEO's and presidents committed to studying, living and spreading their faith through their professional and personal lives. Tom Monaghan was born in Ann Arbor in 1937. His father died four years later, ushering in a childhood spent largely in an orphanage and a succession of foster homes. After graduating from Ann Arbor's St. Thomas High School in 1955, and enrolling at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan, Monaghan enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1956. Honorably discharged three years later, he returned to Ann Arbor, where he enrolled at the University of Michigan. While still a student, Monaghan founded Domino's Pizza. He and his brother, James, borrowed $900 to buy a small pizza store called DomiNick's in Ypsilanti. He later bought his brother's share of the business, and opened additional stores in Ann Arbor and Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. By 1998, Domino's had 6,250 stores, and ranked as the world's largest pizza delivery chain, pioneering a number of industry innovations inspired by Monaghan. The story behind Domino's Pizza (including the many obstacles and setbacks Monaghan overcame and the path he took to success) was compiled for the first time in his 1986 autobiography, Pizza Tiger, published by Random House. He sold Domino's Pizza in 1998 to Bain Capital, Inc., leaving behind its day-to-day operations, which he had overseen for 38 years. Monaghan has received honorary degrees from twelve universities around the country, and in March of 2000, he was named an Honorary Fellow of Magdalene College within Britain's University of Cambridge. Monaghan and his wife, Marjorie, have four daughters and eight grandchildren. Term: Appointed October 2002 |
| Michael Novak |
 Theologian, author, and former U.S. ambassador, Michael Novak currently holds the George Frederick Jewett Chair in Religion and Public Policy at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C., where he is director of social and political studies. He is the 1994 recipient of the Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion, a one-million ¬dollar purse awarded at Buckingham Palace. Born in Johnstown, PA, Michael Novak graduated from Stonehill College (B.A., Philosophy and English) and the Gregorian University (B.A. Theology). He continued theological studies at Catholic University and then at Harvard, where he received an M.A. in the History and Philosophy of Religion. Mr. Novak has written 26 influential books on the philosophy and theology of culture, especially the essential elements of a free society. His writings have appeared in every major Western language, and in Bengali, Korean and Japanese. His masterpiece, The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism, was published underground in Poland in 1984, and after 1989 in Czechoslovakia, Germany, China, Hungary, Bangladesh, Korea, and many times in Latin America. For his work and influence, he has received many international awards, including the Boyer Award (1999); with Milton Friedman and Vaclav Klaus the International Prize by the Institution for World Capitalism; the Antony Fisher Prize for The Spirit of Democratic Capitalism presented by Margaret Thatcher; the Weber Award for contributions to the Catholic Social Thought in Essen, Germany; the Cezanne Medal from Provence, France; and the Catholic Culture Medal of Bassano del Grappa in Italy; the highest civilian award from the Slovak Republic in 1996; the Masaryk Medal, presented by Vaclav Havel of the Czech Republic in 2000; and in December 2001, the Gold Medal of The Pennsylvania Society. Mr. Novak is married to Karen Laub¬-Novak, a professional artist and illustrator. They have three children, Richard, Tanya, and Jana, and three grandchildren. Term: Appointed February 2006 |
| Father Mitch Pacwa, S.J. |
|  Father Mitchell Pacwa, S.J. is the Founder and President of Ignatius Productions, a Catholic media production apostolate whose mission is to teach people the scriptures, educate Catholics about their Faith, and promote unity and understanding within the mystical body of Christ. Father received his B.A. in Philosophy and Theology from the University of Detroit, summa cum laude. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1976 with the Society of Jesus and then continued his studies. He received his Master of Divinity and S.T.B. from the Jesuit School of Theology of Loyola University, magna cum laude. At Vanderbilt University, he received his Master of Arts, Ph.D. in Old Testament. Dissertation on The Origin of Prophetic Eschatology in Light of Ephraimite Levitical Narrative Traditions. He has taught at the high school, university, and seminary levels. Being a well-known biblical scholar, he has lectured at hundreds of conferences and churches around the world, and has appeared and hosted international radio and television programs. He is best known for his appearances on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), where he currently hosts two programs - "Threshold of Hope" and "EWTN LIVE." Father Pacwa's fluency in twelve languages and his extensive travels throughout the Middle East have afforded him a unique understanding of the peoples and cultures of the Middle East. Father Pacwa has authored three books: "Father Forgive Me for I am Frustrated" and "Catholics and the New Age," and his new book, "Go In Peace." Father Pacwa's work in "Catholics and the New Age" is a sited resource in the Vatican Document on the New Age Movement, "Jesus Christ, Bearer of Water and Life" by the Pontifical Council for Culture and Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. Term: Appointed November 2005 |
| Paul r. roney |
Mr. Roney and his wife, Genny, have three children. Term: Appointed October 2002 |
Mr. Roney worked for companies owned by Tom Monaghan beginning in 1985 when he joined TSM Leasing, Inc. as its Controller. He served in various capacities before being named the Corporate Treasurer of Domino's Pizza, Inc. in 1993. Paul left Domino's Pizza, Inc. in December 1998 upon Tom Monaghan's sale of the pizza company and currently serves as Chief Financial Officer of Ave Maria University and President of Domino's Farms Corporation. Mr. Roney earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Michigan in 1980 and his master's degree at Eastern Michigan University in 1992. He is a member of Legatus. | Michael D. soignet |
 Michael Soignet is a 26 year veteran of the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) industry. He recently (2007) retired from Domino's Pizza, the World's largest Pizza Delivery Company. He last held the position of Executive Vise President of U.S. Franchise Operations, Distribution, and Procurement. In this position Mike was accountable for the performance and operations of Domino's nearly 5,000 franchise stores operated by their 1,300 franchisees. In his franchise operations role, his responsibilities included local store marketing activities, Quality Audit Programs, Franchise Relations, Franchise Sales and Profits, and all other areas impacting franchise store operations. Additionally, he was also responsible for leading Domino's Distribution Division with annual Sales over $1 Billion. Domino's Distribution division handles procurement, food manufacturing, and Distribution for their U.S. store network through a nationwide system of 17 Distribution and Manufacturing facilities, an Equipment & Supply Division and a Vegetable Processing Center. Mike attended Louisiana State University. He has been a member of the Young President Organization since 1977. He currently resides in Plymouth, Michigan with his wife Mary Beth and their five children. Term: Appointed February 2008 |
| Glory l. sullivan |
 Born in Minneapolis, MN, Mrs. Sullivan is a graduate of Georgetown Visitation College in Washington, DC. She and her husband, Thomas, have raised three children and have seven grandchildren. She began her career with the Prudential Insurance Company and is former VP and Board member of Government Institutes, Inc.; former President and Board Member of Four Research Place Corporation; and a Member of the Board of the Sullivan Foundation. She is a member of the Order of Malta and a member of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. Since her retirement from Government Institutes, Mrs. Sullivan has devoted her time to Catholic charitable and educational works for the Tom & Glory Sullivan Foundation. Both she and her husband are actively involved in works of Catholic charity around the world. The Sullivans are now active members of Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish in Ponte Verde Beach, FL, in the Diocese of St. Augustine. They are also active in the Archdiocese of Washington, particularly at St. Raphael Parish in Potomac, MD. Term: Appointed October 2002 |
| Michael T.O. Timmis |
Michael is an avid hunter and fly fisherman. He is married to Laura Timmis, and they have four children and live in Naples, FL. Term: Appointed February 2008 |
Michael T.O. Timmis graduated from Marquette University in 1988. Following graduation he spent seven years working in Uganda, East Africa, where he started a number of projects to serve the poor in the spirit of Jesus. These projects include a hospital, a dairy ranch, a primary school, and a boarding high school for orphans. These projects are ongoing and currently serve over 1,000 people daily. He returned to the States in 1995 and earned his MBA at the University of Michigan. Since 1997 he has been involved in the Timmis Family Foundation, which has projects in both the United States and abroad. Timmis is also an executive and personal coach. His firm Evergreen Coaching serves Christian entrepreneurs and executives, people dealing with issues related to wealth, and ministry professionals.