Monsignor Stuart Swetland to Lead the Society’s Center for the Advancement of Catholic Higher Education

In a story that has a great deal of interest locally, and reported by CNA ("Cardinal Newman Society announces partnership with Mount St. Mary's" by Marianne Medlin), the Center for Advancement of Catholic Higher Education will relocate to Mount Saint Mary's in Emmitsburg, Maryland. This partnership between the Cardinal Newman Society and Mount Saint Mary's will be lead by Msgr. Stuart Swetland. The Cardinal Newman Society posted this on its website on June 27th, and reports the relocation will take place as of July 1st. The Society stated in part:

“This is an exciting moment for Catholic colleges,” said Cardinal Newman Society president Patrick J. Reilly. “The renewal of Catholic identity is underway, and the Center is at the forefront, researching and analyzing solutions to critical issues in Catholic higher education and identifying and sharing best practices on Catholic campuses.”

“We have an extraordinary partner in Mount St. Mary’s University, the nation’s second-oldest Catholic university. Under the leadership of President Thomas Powell and Vice President for Catholic Identity Msgr. Stuart Swetland, the Mount has demonstrated a firm commitment to a strong Catholic identity.

“For more than three years, Dr. Powell and Msgr. Swetland have been an integral part of a working group of faithful college presidents who have helped lay the foundation for the work the Center undertakes to support strong Catholic identity.”

"We are honored that the Cardinal Newman Society has chosen the Mount as the new home of the Center for the Advancement of Catholic Higher Education,” says University President Thomas Powell. “The Center will provide valuable resources to aid Mount St. Mary’s and other colleges and universities to strengthen their Catholic identity.”

In his capacity as Center executive director, Msgr. Swetland will be tackling key issues in Catholic higher education such as formation programs for new faculty, improvements in core curricula, integrating faith and reason in particular disciplines, reinforcing a presumption of sobriety and chastity on college campuses, and facilitating collaboration among college officials. The Center will also continue to be a leader in addressing the growing threats to the religious liberty of Catholic campuses.

Read more on this fascinating story here.