Georgetown University today announced that the Rev. Kevin O’Brien, S.J. (C ’88) will serve as the next executive director of Campus Ministry, effective Aug. 1. In this role, O’Brien will lead a vibrant and diverse campus ministry department that provides support and programming to students and the larger campus community.

“I am confident that Father O’Brien’s deep commitment to Georgetown’s Catholic and Jesuit mission, combined with his experience in parish life and ministry at various levels, will enable him to enhance our ongoing efforts,” said the Rev. Philip L. Boroughs, S.J., vice president for Mission and Ministry. “He is dedicated to serving the pastoral and spiritual needs of students, faculty and staff and I know he will assume this role with great energy and enthusiasm. His appreciation for the important interfaith work of Georgetown’s Campus Ministry -- with its Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Orthodox Christian, and Protestant Ministries, retreat programs, and diverse chaplains in residence -- will be especially meaningful in our work to foster interreligious dialogue and understanding.”

An ordained Jesuit priest, O’Brien currently serves as associate pastor at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Washington, D.C. Prior to his role at Holy Trinity, O’Brien gained a variety of teaching and ministry experience at the high school and college levels, including roles at Cardinal Newman High School in West Palm Beach, Fla., LeMoyne College, Loyola College in Maryland, Fordham University and St. Joseph’s University.

A graduate of Georgetown University, O’Brien earned his law degree from the University of Florida in Tallahassee and served as a corporate litigator before joining the Society of Jesus in 1996. He earned his M.A. in Philosophy from Fordham University, an M.Div. and an S.T.L. from the Weston Jesuit School of Theology, and was ordained as a priest in 2006.

“It is a special honor to take on these new responsibilities,” said O’Brien. “I love Georgetown and am deeply committed to its Catholic and Jesuit identity and serving the needs of the entire campus community. Given its tradition of openness to persons of all faiths and its global vision, Georgetown is uniquely situated to thoughtfully and prayerfully ask religious questions.”

O’Brien was selected after a national search led by the Rev. Howard Gray, S.J., which included the participation of faculty, staff and students. O’Brien replaces the Rev. Timothy Godfrey, S.J., who is leaving his role as executive director of Campus Ministry after four years to pursue a graduate nursing degree.

Source: Office of Communications (May 20, 2008)