Office of the President, The Catholic University of America

Biography

Very Reverend David M. O’Connell, a priest of the Congregation of the Mission (founded by St. Vincent de Paul and popularly known in the United States as the “Vincentians”) was unanimously elected 14th president of The Catholic University of America by its Board of Trustees on March 10, 1998.

POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION

• Niagara University, B.A., philosophy, 1978

• Mary Immaculate Seminary, M. Div. 1981

• Mary Immaculate Seminary, Th.M. 1983

• The Catholic University of America, J.C.L. 1987

• The Catholic University of America, J.C.D. 1990

ORDAINED

May 29, 1982

ASSIGNMENTS

• Teacher, Archbishop Wood High School, Pa., 1982–1985

• Director of Student Activities, Archbishop Wood High School, Pa., 1983–1985

• Assistant Professor, Mary Immaculate Seminary, Pa., 1987–1990

• Registrar, Mary Immaculate Seminary, Pa., 1987–1990

• Associate Dean, St. John’s College, N.Y., 1990–1991

• Professor, St. John’s University, N.Y., 1991–1998

• Academic Dean and Dean of Faculty, St. John’s University, N.Y., 1991–1998

• Interim Academic Vice President, Niagara University, N.Y., 1994–1995

• Associate Vice President, St. John’s University, N.Y., 1995–1998

• Assistant Legal Counsel, St. John’s University, N.Y., 1996–1998

• President, The Catholic University of America, 1998–present

• Consultor, Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education, 2005-present

• Professor, John Joseph Keane University Professor, CUA, 2006-present

ECCLESIASTICAL APPOINTMENTS

• Chair, Committee for Conciliation and Arbitration, Congregation of the Mission, Eastern Province, USA

• Policies Committee, Congregation of the Mission, Eastern Province, USA

• Ecclesiastical Judge and Canonical Consultant,

• Diocese of Harrisburg, 1987–1998

• Diocese of Scranton, 1988–1998

• Diocese of Birmingham, 1987–1993

MEMBERSHIPS

• D.C. Area Health Education Center Advisory Board

• Trustee, New Advent Theological Institute and St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, Denver, Colo.

• Council of Priests, Archdiocese of Washington, 1998–2001

• Action Institute, Catholic High School Honor Roll Advisory Board

• Trustee, Pope John Paul II Cultural Center

• Trustee, St. John’s University, Jamaica, N.Y., 1998–2003

• Trustee, Niagara University

• Trustee, Archbishop John Carroll High School, Washington, D.C., 1998–2001

• Trustee, Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

• Trustee, Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area

• Greater Washington Board of Trade/Federal City Council

• University of St. Thomas Law School Advisory Board, St. Paul, Minn., 1999–2000

• Canon Law Society of America

• Eastern Regional Canon Lawyers Association

• Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities

• American Conference of Academic Deans, 1991–1998

• Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences, 1991–1998

• Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, Washington, D.C., 1999

• Knights of Malta, Federal Association

• Knights of Columbus

• Knights of Constantinian Order of St. George

• Economic Club of D.C.

• University Club of D.C.

• Bishops and Presidents Committee, USCCB, 2001–June 2006

• Metropolitan Club

HONORS

Honorary Doctorate, Franciscan University of Steubenville
Honorary Doctorate, St. Thomas Aquinas College
Honorary Doctorate, St. Charles Seminary
Honorary Doctorate, Gannon University
President’s Medal, St. John’s University
Honorary Doctorate, St. John’s University
2006 NCEA St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award
Honorary Doctorate, Niagara University