Monsignor Kenneth Velo, a well-known Chicago priest, former president of the Catholic Church Extension Society and trusted advisor to the late Archbishop of Chicago Joseph Cardinal Bernardin, joins DePaul University Jan. 21 as Senior Executive for Catholic Collaboration.

In the newly created position, Velo will forge linkages between DePaul, the largest Catholic university in the United States, and such Catholic institutions as the Archdiocese of Chicago, its schools and agencies, Catholic Charities and social justice ministries. He also will work to expand the connections locally and nationally between the university and Catholic leaders.

“DePaul has been blessed with extraordinary growth, strengthening our academics and student life,” said the Rev. John P. Minogue, C.M., president of DePaul. “At the same time, the Catholic Church has a profound mission being carried out through its many institutions. Ken has the leadership ability to develop collaborations between the university and these institutions to further the Catholic mission.”

For example, students involved in DePaul’s many service learning initiatives—which combine community service with study—could benefit from collaborations with service projects run by Catholic Charities, Minogue said.

“I’m deeply honored to be joining DePaul,” Velo said. “I look forward to serving with Father Minogue and working to further DePaul’s urban Catholic mission to provide service to the community, especially the poor.”

“I’m very pleased to be given this opportunity to use my past experience and the many relationships I have made with leaders in the city to help bring together the missions of DePaul and the Catholic Church,” Velo said.

A resident of the Our Lady of Hope Parish in Rosemont, Velo served from 1994 to 2001 as president of the Catholic Extension Society, a Chicago-based national Papal organization founded in 1905 to encourage financial support for missionary work in the poorest and most isolated parts of the United States.

Velo was executive assistant to Cardinal Bernardin from 1985 to 1994, vice chancellor of the Archdiocese from 1983 to 1985 and assistant vice chancellor from 1981 to 1983. He served as associate pastor of Chicago’s Queen of All Saints Basilica from 1980 to 1985 and at St. Angela Parish from 1973 to 1980.

Born in Evergreen Park, Ill., in 1947, Velo was ordained as a priest on May 9, 1973. He studied at the Archdiocesan seminaries Quigley Preparatory Seminary South and Niles College of Loyola University and in 1969 earned his bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from Loyola University. Velo completed a master of divinity degree at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake in Mundelein, Ill., in 1973.

Velo is a member of the boards of trustees of Fenwick College Preparatory High School in Oak Park and the United Service Organization (USO). He has served for 22 years as a member of the Archdiocese’s Priest Placement Board. He was elected to DePaul’s Board of Trustees in 1999 but will step down to assume his new university position.

DePaul was founded in 1898 by the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians) Catholic religious community, which follows the teachings of 17th century French priest St. Vincent de Paul. The university’s mission emphasizes academic excellence, service to the community, access to education and respect for the individual. Today, DePaul serves 21,363 students in nine colleges and eight campuses throughout the metropolitan area.