ST. LOUIS - A man who is very familiar with Saint Louis University soon will oversee SLU's commitment to its Jesuit, Catholic mission. University President Lawrence Biondi, S.J., has named Edward O'Brien, S.J., as vice president for mission and ministry for the 2001-2002 academic year. His appointment will be effective July 1.

O'Brien is already known by many as minister of the SLU Jesuit community at Jesuit Hall, a position he's held since 1995. He succeeds A. James Blumeyer, S.J., who is retiring at the end of the academic year.

"The mission of Saint Louis University is to prepare students not only to excel in their careers, but to become women and men for others," Biondi said. "Fr. O'Brien will provide excellent leadership and guidance to the faculty and staff who work with our students to realize that transformation."

As vice president, O'Brien will supervise the campus ministry and pastoral care departments and facilitate programs that focus on the mission of the University. O'Brien also will provide counsel to the SLU administration to ensure the Jesuit mission in education is being realized.

"It's a great honor to be asked to do this, especially following someone like Fr. Blumeyer," O'Brien said. "My main goal is to help people see how service really makes our lives meaningful in a very broad, deep sense."

Before becoming the minister of the Jesuit community at SLU, O'Brien served for five-and-a-half years as the pastor of St. Matthew the Apostle Parish in St. Louis. While there he partnered with St. Alphonsus Rock Church and St. Teresa of Avila Church to establish Community Health In Partnership Services, a multi-parish health center that ministers to those in need in the surrounding communities.

Prior to that, he worked at the White House Retreat Center in south St. Louis County. He also has worked in Africa, where he helped create a spirituality center.

Ordained as a priest in 1961, O'Brien received his undergraduate degree and licentiate in philosophy from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash. He received his master's degree and licentiate in theology from Saint Louis University and has a diploma from the International Institute for Theological Research in Brussels, Belgium.

O'Brien is Saint Louis University trustee and has served as a member of the executive, academic affairs, and science and technology committees. He will end his service as a SLU trustee May 5. O'Brien also has been a trustee of Regis University and Regis, DeSmet and Saint Louis University high schools. He has served on the boards or leadership teams of the Jesuit Secondary Education Association, the Jesuits of the Missouri Province and the Archdiocesan Priests' Council.

In addition to his duties as vice president of mission and ministry, O'Brien will continue to serve as minister to SLU's Jesuit community.

Blumeyer has been vice president for mission and ministry since 1993. Among his many accomplishments, he was instrumental in starting the "Shared Vision" video series, which explores Jesuit principles and Ignatian spirituality.

"The University community is losing a remarkable Jesuit," Biondi said. "Fr. Blumeyer has been invaluable in his efforts to help others understand and embrace the mission of Saint Louis University."

Saint Louis University is a Catholic, Jesuit university and leading research institution. Founded in 1818, the University strives to foster the intellectual and spiritual growth of its 11,000 students through a broad array of undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs on campuses in St. Louis, Missouri, and Madrid, Spain.