Posted May 18, 2020

Augustinian Father Kevin DePrinzio has been named vice president for mission and ministry at Villanova University, effective July 1.

In the role he will oversee the university’s Office for Mission and Ministry, which plays a vital role in ensuring Villanova’s commitment to living out its Augustinian Catholic mission. 

Father DePrinzio succeeds Barbara Wall, founder of the Office for Mission and Ministry, who is retiring after 50 years at the university.

“The Office for Mission and Ministry is essential to the Villanova community, as it plays an integral role in preserving our Augustinian mission,” said Augustinian Father Peter M. Donohue, president of Villanova University. “The work of this office is at the very heart of who we are as a Catholic community. Father Kevin’s vision — engaging the university in its entirety and challenging our members to reflect on our mission consistently and practice it creatively — immediately stood out to me and the search committee.

[hotblock]

“Under Father Kevin’s leadership, I have no doubt that the office, and our mission, will continue to flourish. I very much look forward to working with him in this new role.”

Father DePrinzio brings nearly 20 years of experience in ministry as a vocation director, campus minister and faculty member to the position. 

He will be responsible for the wide array of scholarly and pastoral programs offered by the Office for Mission and Ministry, which coordinates initiatives connected to Villanova’s Augustinian heritage and Catholic identity; promotes programs and research on contemporary issues through the lens of Catholic social teaching; attends to the university community’s spiritual and sacramental needs; and provides faith-based opportunities for students, faculty and staff of various religious beliefs and traditions.

Since his profession to the Augustinian order in 2000 and ordination in 2004, Father DePrinzio has held numerous teaching, vocational and ministry roles. He is currently an assistant professor of theology at Villanova and has been heavily involved in the work of the Augustinian Institute, serving as a facilitator and panelist for its various programming. 

He also served as a mentor for the Faith & Learning Scholar program and has been a member of various retreats, including the Pellegrinaggio, sponsored through Mission and Ministry.

Before joining the Villanova University faculty, Father DePrinzio was the vocation director for the Augustinian friars in the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova and worked as a campus minister in Villanova’s Center for Worship and Spirituality. 

He was also an adjunct professor and campus minister at Merrimack College, as well as a teacher and school minister at Msgr. Bonner High School in Drexel Hill.

Father DePrinzio earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from St. Joseph’s University, a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts from Washington Theological Union and a Master of Philosophy and a PhD in theology from the Catholic University of America.