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President's Biography

Nicholas J. Healy, Jr., J.D.
President
Ave Maria University

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. 

Mr. Healy and his wife, have four children and seven grandchildren.