Bishop Richard J. Malone is pleased to announce that Rev. Kevin G. Creagh, CM, has been named the new president-rector of Christ the King Seminary in East Aurora, N.Y. Father Creagh will be assuming the position sometime this summer, replacing Father John Staak, OMI, who's been the interim president-rector for the past eight months.

"I have come to know Father Creagh as a faithful, gifted and committed priest and educator. He will provide inspiring leadership as president-rector of Christ the King Seminary. I am grateful to the Vincentian Fathers for sharing him with us," Bishop Malone said.

"On behalf of all the seminarians, students, faculty and staff of Christ the King Seminary, I'd like to offer Father Kevin our warmest congratulations on being appointed the new president-rector," stated Father Staak, OMI. "As a member of the Vincentian community, Father Kevin brings with him the charism of priestly formation. His various administrative and teaching experiences give him the insight and wisdom to lead the seminary in a collaborative, ministerial spirit. Most importantly, he understands the heart and mind of Christ. We're excited to have him guide us in forming missionary disciples with that same heart and mind, ready to proclaim the Good News."

Father Creagh is currently the vice president for International Relations and special assistant to the provost at Niagara University. Before this current position, he was the vice president for Mission and Ministry as well as the local superior of the Vincentian community at Niagara University for six years.

Previously he served as associate vice president for International Sites and assistant to the vice president for Institutional Advancement at St. John's University in Queens, N.Y.

Father Creagh has taught courses in the areas of theology and ethics at Niagara University to undergraduates and doctoral students, respectively, and has taught a course on leadership and organizational theory at Christ the King Seminary. He has been a chair and member of numerous doctoral dissertation committees in the university's Leadership and Policy Doctoral Program.

Father Creagh is experienced in the area of board governance and currently serves the board of trustees of St. John's University, N.Y., Christ the King Seminary and the Niagara Community Center Inc., N.Y.
Father Creagh said, "I am deeply grateful to Bishop Malone and the board of trustees of Christ the King Seminary for offering me this opportunity to be of service in providing leadership at this important time in the seminary's rich history. I look forward to serving the seminarians, theology students, and the whole campus

community of faculty, administrators and staff. I also look forward to our seminary being of service to the dedicated clergy of the Diocese of Buffalo. Finally, I thank God for my vocation to the priesthood which has given me immense joy and fulfillment for 23 years. Please pray for me and, most especially, the students of our seminary."

He holds a bachelor of science degree and a professional diploma in Supervision and Instruction from St. John's University, N.Y., a master of divinity and a master of arts from Immaculate Conception Seminary in Huntington, N.Y., and a doctoral degree in Higher Education Management and Policy from the University of Pennsylvania. His doctoral dissertation was entitled, "Building an Effective Bishop and President Relationship for the Mission of Catholic Higher Education: A Case Study of Five Bishop and President Partnerships."

Father Creagh was ordained a Vincentian priest in 1996 and has had the privilege of serving in Catholic higher education, vocations ministry, and the Vincentian mission in Taiwan. He also served in the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in 1991.