FR. GERALD L STOCKHAUSEN, SJ

DETROIT –Fr. Gerard L. Stockhausen, SJ was named the next president of University of Detroit Mercy by the University's Board of Trustees, succeeding Sr.Maureen A. Fay, OP, who will retire at the end of this academic year.

Fr. Stockhausen has served at the university as vice president for academic affairs and provost since 2000. Prior to joining UDM, he was associate dean for undergraduate programs and internal operations for Creighton University's College of Business Administration.

Detroit Mercy is Michigan's largest private Catholic university, offering approximately 100 majors and programs in 60 academic fields. Sponsored by the Jesuits and the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, the university has campuses located in downtown and northwest Detroit. Fr. Stockhausen begins his new assignment in July, with an inauguration ceremony planned for September.

“Gerard Stockhausen is an outstanding educator and administrator who will provide superb leadership in maintaining the quality of both the Jesuit and Sisters of Mercy traditions,” said Board of Trustees Chair Fr. Thomas Lewand. “He has played a pivotal role in increasing full-time student enrollment, and was the administration's point person [on key projects] to create and implement the Vision 2020 strategic plan.”

Last year, the Board approved a strategic plan to expand the McNichols and downtown campuses to accommodate most of the University's programs and facilities, which will be housed on these campuses. These changes will enable the University to be an even more dynamic presence in the city of Detroit.

“I look forward to this wonderful opportunity in assuming an even greater leadership role at the University of Detroit Mercy,” Fr. Stockhausen said. “This University best fulfills the ideals of both the Jesuits and Sisters of Mercy, and I truly wouldn't want to be anywhere but here.”

Wisconsin Province Jesuits serve as presidents at 5 of the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S. The others are Fr. Timothy Lannon, SJ (St. Joseph’s University), Fr. John Schlegel, SJ (Creighton University), Fr.William Leahy, SJ (Boston College), and Fr. Gregory Lucey, SJ (Spring Hill College).