Holy Cross Picks Vincent Rougeau As New President

WORCESTER, MA — Nearly five months after Holy Cross President the Rev. Philip Boroughs announced he would step down, the college has selected Vincent Rougeau as his replacement — the school's first Black and non-ordained leader.

Rougeau, 57, comes to Holy Cross after experience at other Catholic schools. He most recently served for a decade as the dean of the Boston College Law School, and was a law professor at Notre Dame in Indiana. He was chosen as the 33rd president after a nationwide search.

"Vincent brings the strategic vision, deep experience as a faculty member and administrator and commitment to liberal arts education that will allow him to lead Holy Cross in meeting the many challenges facing higher education today," Board of Trustees Chair Richard Patterson said in a news release. "Both his scholarship and his leadership demonstrate his profound dedication to Catholic social teaching and to educating students toward seeking justice and making a meaningful difference in our world."

Boroughs took over as the school's 32nd president in January 2012. When he announced his resignation in September, he said Holy Cross may need "new energy and some different skills ... to address the realities of the coming years."

Even though he's not a clergy member, Holy Cross highlighted Rougeau's expertise as a Catholic. He is the author of the book "Christians in the American Empire: Faith and Citizenship in the New World Order," and is a senior fellow at the London-based Centre for Theology and Community. He was also recently named president-elect of the Association of American Law Schools, according to Holy Cross.

Rougeau will take over as president beginning July 1.