Father James Shea Earns Prestigious Honor from Alma Mater

April 24, 2012




	Photo of Father Shea laughing it up with fellow alum. To the right is Kevin Ryan, president of Covenant House in NYC. On the left is actress Siobhan Fallon Hogan (SNL, 30 Rock, Forrest Gump, Men in Black, etc.).

BISMARCK, ND - University of Mary President Father James Shea has been named the 2012 Young Alumni Award recipient at his own alma mater, the Catholic University of America (CUA). The award was announced at a gala event recently on CUA's campus in Washington, D.C. Granted only occasionally, the award recognizes graduates of CUA who have demonstrated outstanding achievement and promise at an early age. Shea received his bachelor's degree at CUA in 1997 and his master's degree in philosophy a year later, in 1998. From CUA he continued to the Vatican's North American College for further graduate studies. At 37, he is the youngest serving president of a college or university in the United States.

"Tonight's event shows us clearly that the light of learning illumines not only our studies, but our way forward in life," said CUA President John Garvey. "A life enlightened by study leads to a life of action, and sometimes that action is very impressive."

"My years at Catholic University shaped me deeply," said Shea. "I came here as a farm boy from the middle of America in the last days before the Internet. There was so much for me to learn about the world and about myself." He credited outstanding professors in CUA's School of Philosophy with bringing the life of the mind alive for him and his fellow students. "They taught us about the God of faith and reason, the splendor of truth, and the love of learning."