Christendom College announced that current Academic Dean Dr. Kevin Tracy will be appointed as Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA), effective at the beginning of the 2024-25 academic year, while Assistant Professor of Theology Dr. Andrew Whitmore will take his place as Academic Dean. Tracy will be continuing the outstanding work of outgoing VPAA Dr. Greg Townsend, who will be retiring from this role following the end of the 2023-24 academic year.
“Dr. Kevin Tracy’s balanced and careful approach to student academic issues has been excellent for Christendom, and he is a proactive and thoughtful leader,” says College President Dr. Timothy O’Donnell. “Like Dr. Greg Townsend before him, he has been the shepherd for our current Quality Enhancement Program process for years now, and the fruit of his outstanding work is evident in SACSCOC’s recent approval of our QEP plan and reaffirmation of accreditation. Kevin is well regarded among faculty, staff, and students and we know he will excel in this position which is so vital for the relationships at the college.”
Dr. Kevin Tracy first joined Christendom in 2015 in the Department of Classical and Early Christian Studies, demonstrating an excellence in teaching. In addition to blessing the Classical and Early Christian Studies Department with his teaching ability and student mentorship, Tracy served as acting Academic Dean several years ago, assuming the role full-time this academic year. He was also integral to the college’s preparation for reaffirmation of accreditation, which the college received in early December.
Dr. Andrew Whitmore, meanwhile, will be taking Tracy’s place as Academic Dean in the next academic year. Whitmore joined the college in 2018 in the Theology Department, serving the college’s student body remarkably over the past 5+ years. In addition, during this time, Whitmore also released his first book, Saintly Habits: Aquinas’ 7 Simple Strategies You Can Use to Grow in Virtue, which has received acclaim since its release.
“Andrew has gained a reputation as both an excellent professor and a level-headed and enthusiastic leader at the college,” says O’Donnell. “Andrew has shown a heart for service in his five years and eagerly joined the QEP team as well during our preparation for reaffirmation of accreditation. His work has been excellent and he has gained the confidence of students, faculty, and staff. I believe he will serve the college exceptionally as Academic Dean in the new academic year.”
Current VPAA Dr. Greg Townsend will be retiring from this role following the end of the 2023-24 academic year. Townsend has served with distinction as VPAA since 2015, assisting in the hiring of 31 full-time hires at the undergraduate level and helping the college achieve reaffirmation of accreditation — all while still serving as a full-time professor.
These appointments come on the heels of current VPAA Dr. Greg Townsend’s announcement that he will retire from this role following the conclusion of the 2023-24 academic year, after nearly a decade of service. Townsend will continue to be a valued member of the college’s full-time faculty, especially with exciting developments to come in the next academic year in the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.
Townsend first joined the college in 2002, moving from his native New Zealand to teach at Christendom. In 2010, he became a part of the college’s accreditation team for the first time, serving ably as the college’s QEP chairman and helping the college receive reaffirmation of accreditation in 2012. In January of 2015, Townsend took over the reins as VPAA, where he has served in this demanding position with distinction. At the undergraduate level, through his tenure, he assisted in 31 full-time hires, and at the Graduate School level he assisted in hiring the Graduate School Dean and 2 full-time faculty, in addition to continuing to serve as a full-time professor at the college.
“Greg has brought a quiet leadership and a commitment to a faith-filled, collegial spirit at the college,” says O’Donnell. “We are thankful for his thoughtfulness for the well-being of others, which underscores his personal approach to his work. Greg advocates well for those he serves, even behind closed doors, and is a constant voice for our shared love of mission. His extreme hard work in helping bring the 10-year reaffirmation of accreditation to a close this year was a final and crowning aspect to his years as VPAA. Thank you, Greg, for your incredible service to Christendom College.”