I am pleased to announce that Rev. Patrick J. Griffin, C.M. will be rejoining St. John’s University in the role of Special Assistant in the President’s Office reporting directly to me with a dotted line to Rev. Bernard M. Tracey, C.M., Executive Vice President for Mission. Father Griffin will primarily function as liaison, representative and advisor to me on Catholic and Vincentian matters but he will also assist with other activities in the President’s Office and the EVP for Mission Office and the Office of Institutional Research as needed.

Many of you know Father Griffin through his years of experience with the University. Between 1985 and 1987 he taught in the Theology Department of the College of Professional Studies (then known as St. Vincent’s College) and was a Member of the University’s Board of Trustees between 1996 and 2008. In 2008 Father Griffin assumed the role of Executive Vice President for Mission and Branch Campuses. At the end of 2010, he was asked by the Vincentian Community to assume the responsibility as the Director General of the Daughters of Charity centered in Paris. It is from this last post that he returns to us.

Father Griffin’s deep roots in the Vincentian Community and his significant history with St. John’s will help to perpetuate and strengthen the University’s distinctive Mission.

I look forward to working with Father Griffin and ask that you join me in welcoming him back to the University effective August 4, 2014.