Mark Middendorf, a native of Chicago, Illinois, was educated at Northern Illinois University and holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance from DePaul University. His career began with various marketing and management positions at Compuware, Wiremold, and Westinghouse. On the strength of his successes in these posts and after discerning a special call to the New Evangelization, he took the venture of faith, leaving the corporate world founding a lay apostolate, Lighthouse Catholic Media (LCM). From its beginning on August 15, 2005, to its merger with the Augustine Institute on December 8, 2015, Lighthouse grew to be the largest producer of Catholic audio talks in the world, reaching over 17 million souls with its life-changing presentations on loving and living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In addition, LCM also distributed millions of books through its kiosks and parish-based programs.

Middendorf’s style of collaborative leadership was particularly evident in his decision to merge LCM to the Augustine Institute, an unprecedented marriage of apostolates that has been exceptionally fruitful and dynamic. As the Augustine Institute’s Executive Vice President for Mission Expansion, Middendorf led the launch and expansion of the FORMED.org platform. Together with its partner Ignatius Press, the Lighthouse–Augustine team now provides resources for evangelization and catechesis to more than 6,500 parishes and well over 1 million users. In addition, Middendorf has led the promotion and distribution of many other programs and products, including the ESV-CE Bible, The Search evangelization program, the Amen app, and the Word of Life K–8 religious education curriculum. Middendorf also serves on the boards of 5 Stones, Ignatius Press, and the Marian Missionaries of Divine Mercy, and has been a long-standing member of Legatus.

Middendorf and his wife, Christine, are the proud parents of four children, one already a graduate of Ave Maria University and another currently enrolled.

When asked what his first priority would be as president, Middendorf stated that, with the full support of Chancellor Monaghan, he will be inviting all staff, students, and friends of Ave Maria to join him in entrusting themselves and the University to the care of our Immaculate Mother on March 25, the Solemnity of the Annunciation. He then added, “The University belongs to her. It has her name on it. As President, I see this as foundational.”