The Rev. Patrick McDevitt, C.M., associate professor in DePaul University’s College of Education, has been named the first American president of All Hallows College in Dublin, Ireland.  He started his new position in fall 2011.

“I’m excited about the opportunity for several reasons,” said McDevitt, who taught in the graduate human services and counseling program in DePaul’s College of Education. “All Hallows is a college with a strong sense of tradition and mission that responds to the needs of the time. It’s a mission-driven college that is committed to keeping its Catholic ethos alive and reaching out to those who want an education.”

Established in 1842, All Hallows College is a Catholic, non-publicly funded Vincentian college. It began as a seminary for missionary priests, transitioned to providing pastoral training to laypeople in the 1980s and since has added a variety of educational programs for traditional and nontraditional students.

“All Hallows has remade itself over the years. It has a strong history of reaching out to people, responding to the needs of the time. The college has a great respect and affinity for DePaul’s mission and values,” said McDevitt, who is the college’s 12th president and its eighth Vincentian president.

“Father McDevitt’s energy, talent and passion for Catholic education rooted in St. Vincent de Paul’s values will surely serve the students, faculty and staff of the college very well,” said the Rev. Perry Henry, C.M., provincial superior of the Congregation of the Mission Western Province. “All Hallows has made an excellent choice.”

McDevitt’s appointment strengthens a longstanding partnership between DePaul and All Hallows. DePaul’s School for Public Service has a long history with All Hallows, and DePaul’s School for New Learning served as a model for an adult learning program launched at All Hallows in 2009.

McDevitt said that his 12-year association with DePaul has prepared him well for the new position. “I’ve been very fortunate at DePaul to serve in many roles – from faculty to administrative posts. DePaul has given me the opportunity to grow professionally. I was blessed to have found an institution that is very open to thinking broadly and taking risks.”

The Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, C.M., president of DePaul, said it is a great opportunity for McDevitt. “DePaul University is proud that one of its own has been chosen as president of All Hallows College. Father McDevitt has long been known as a challenging teacher with a warm heart. He’s a bright, faith-filled priest who loves life and whom All Hallows is fortunate to have recruited.”

McDevitt has a doctoral degree from Loyola University of Maryland; a master’s degree from Loyola University of Maryland; a master’s of divinity degree from St. Thomas Seminary and a bachelor’s degree from St. Mary’s College Seminary.

“My Irish immigrant grandmother lived at the corner of Belden and Kenmore, so I grew up with DePaul being an integral part of my life,” McDevitt said. “It is a special place and has been a very good to me. In my heart, I will always be a DePaulian.”

                                                     
About DePaul

With more than 25,000 students, DePaul University is the largest Catholic university in the United States and the largest private, non-profit university in the Midwest, The university offers approximately 275 graduate and undergraduate programs of study on two Chicago campuses, four suburban campuses and several international locations. Founded in 1898, DePaul remains committed to providing a quality education through personal attention to students from a wide range of backgrounds. For more information, visit www.depaul.edu.

 About All Hallows College 

Founded in 1842, All Hallows College is a non-publicly funded college of Dublin City University and all degrees are accredited by DCU. It enrolls 600 full- and part-time undergraduate and post-graduate students and about 1,000 students per year in its continuing education programs. All Hallows combines a commitment to academic excellence with all the advantages of a small campus, and is committed to the individual development of its students. For more information, visit www.allhallows.ie.