The president of St. Joseph's University, Philadelphia, will serve as the clerical speaker at the upcoming dinner of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Lackawanna County.
The Rev. C. Kevin Gillespie, S.J., will speak at the organization's 108th annual gathering March 16 at Genetti Manor in Dickson City, said John L. Walker, Friendly Sons president.
The Rev. Gillespie became president of St. Joseph's in July and is only the second alumnus to become the school's top administrator.
He earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from St. Joseph's in 1972, a master's degree in psychology from Duquesne University and a master's degree in divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, at Santa Clara University. He also has a doctorate in pastoral psychology from Boston University.
He has published 17 academic articles and nine book reviews and is the author of "Psychology and American Catholicism: From Confession to Therapy?"
Before becoming president at St. Joseph's, the Rev. Gillespie was associate provost for University Centers of Excellence at Loyola University, Chicago, where he oversaw five research facilities affiliated with the school.