Cardinal Newman Society President Patrick J. Reilly released the following statement this morning regarding Saint Vincent College President Jim Towey’s announcement that he will step down from his post at the conclusion of the 2009-2010 academic year:

“When Jim Towey completes his term as president of Saint Vincent’s next spring, he will leave to his successor a campus with a renewed commitment to its Catholic identity.  During his tenure, President Towey has shown bold leadership and made a significant contribution to Catholic higher education.

“Among his most notable achievements are frequent opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration, freshmen orientation on Theology of the Body, initiating a community service program, quadrupling the Campus Ministry budget, protecting students from pornographic and gambling websites with a unique campus-wide Internet filter and beginning renovations of the campus chapel.

“With God’s grace, the seeds that Jim Towey has planted at Saint Vincent’s College will be allowed to blossom.”