C. Kevin Gillespie, S.J., '72, was named the 27th president of Saint Joseph's University in an announcement sent to the university community on Thursday evening. He will be replacing interim president John Smithson, '68, and former president Timothy R. Lannon, who left St. Joe's in June. Gillespie's position as president will begin on July 1, 2012.

Gillespie is a 1972 graduate of St. Joe's and a native Philadelphian. He returns to his alma mater from Loyola University Chicago, where he is currently serving as the associate provost at the University Centers of Excellence there. Gillespie will be the first St. Joe's alumnus to serve as university president in over 100 years.

Gillespie received his bachelor's degree in psychology from St. Joe's, a master's degree in psychology from Duquesne University, a master's degree in divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology Berkeley, and a Ph.D. in pastoral psychology from Boston University.

He has also served St. Joe's as a member of the Board of Trustees since 2006.

Several Jesuits on campus who know Gillespie spoke positively about him and his work.

"As a person, he is both conscientious and thoughtful," said James Redington, S.J., Ph.D., senior Jesuit fellow in the Office for Mission.

"Kevin Gillespie is deeply respected by his Jesuit brothers as a man of integrity and deep spirituality," said Dan Joyce, S.J., assistant vice president for mission and identity, in an email.

Gillespie comes back to St. Joe's after a career spent in different Jesuit universities. Gillespie's longest academic assignment was at Loyola University Baltimore, where he taught in a graduate program in the department of pastoral counseling and spiritual care.

"He was a major force in the establishment and excellence of Loyola University Maryland's graduate program in pastoral counseling, as a professor, leader, and expander of that graduate program," said Redington.

Thomas Brennan, S.J., associate professor of English, said he believes Gillespie's background in pastoral counseling will influence how he conducts himself as university president: "I would think he'd be very interested in talking to people. He would bring a very pastoral perspective, which would be good. He would be very available to people who have concerns."

Gillespie left Loyola University Maryland in 2010 to serve as provost at Loyola University Chigaco, where he currently works in the School of Social Work.

"Fr. Gillespie brings great experience to St. Joe's, both as a celebrated faculty member at Loyola University in Maryland and as a key administrator at Loyola Chicago, where he has been a part of the amazing story of bringing that University to a whole new level of performance," said Joyce in an email.

Growing up in Narberth, Gillespie has roots in Philadelphia that some believe will have a positive influence on his time at St. Joe's.

"I think he understands Philadelphia and the Church here a lot better than other people," said Brennan. "He's someone who has a deep commitments to Philadelphia."

Redington said Gillespie has already shown "thoughtfulness about St. Joe's, enthusiasm, and a real devotion to the place" as a graduate and Board of Trustees member.