Christendom College alumnus Matthew Walz ’95 has been named the fourth president of Thomas More College. Walz, a distinguished professor, author, and valedictorian of his undergraduate class at Christendom, has taught at the college level since 1998 and will now bring his deep passion for the education and formation of students to his new role as a college president.
“We are delighted to see Christendom College alumnus Matthew Walz ’95 named president of Thomas More College,” says College President George A. Harne, Ph.D. “Matthew’s dedication to the Catholic intellectual tradition and to the formation of students has been evident throughout his career, and we are grateful to see one of our alumni entrusted with such an important leadership role. On behalf of the Christendom community, I congratulate Matthew and assure him of our prayers as he begins this important work.”
Walz earned his bachelor’s degree from Christendom in 1995, double-majoring in philosophy and theology and graduating as the valedictorian of his class. After graduating, he went on to earn a doctorate in philosophy from The Catholic University of America, where he began laying the foundation for his academic career.
Following teaching positions at The Catholic University of America and Thomas Aquinas College, Walz joined the faculty at the University of Dallas, where he served as chair of the philosophy department. Since 2012, Walz has served as Director of the Philosophy & Letters and Pre-Theology Programs at the University of Dallas and as Director of Intellectual Formation at Holy Trinity Seminary.
This past year, Walz also served as the St. John Henry Newman Visiting Chair of Catholic Studies at Thomas More College and as a Visiting Professor of Philosophy at the Augustine Institute. He has received numerous awards and fellowships for his work, including being named a Senior Fellow of both the Boethius Institute and the Albertus Magnus Institute.
Walz’s academic work focuses particularly on medieval philosophy, ancient philosophy, and philosophical anthropology, subjects that have shaped both his teaching and scholarship. As an author, Walz has written for Homiletic and Pastoral Review, Logos, and the American Catholic Philosophical Quarterly, and has published a translation of Anselm of Canterbury’s Proslogion.
“When I recall the path that has led my family and me to Thomas More College, I have immense gratitude to our merciful Father,” Walz said in Thomas More College’s announcement of his appointment as their next president. “I thank Him especially for my parents and siblings, who created such a wonderful home in which to grow up. I’m grateful, too, to my undergraduate alma mater, Christendom; to my mentors at CUA’s School of Philosophy; to my friends and colleagues at Thomas Aquinas College who helped me as I began my academic career; to the University of Dallas, where I taught with friends and colleagues who combine superlative teaching with serious and significant scholarship; and to the Abbey of Our Lady of Dallas, which has been our family’s spiritual home for nearly two decades.”
Walz now prepares to begin his next chapter as president of Thomas More College, a role he will assume this September.
His appointment marks another example of Christendom alumni serving in influential leadership roles within Catholic higher education, bringing the intellectual and spiritual formation they received at the college into institutions across the country.