“I’m pleased and excited to accept the position of president and vice-chancellor of St. Jerome’s University,” Fr. David Perrin, OMI, said in a press release. “As we look forward to St. Jerome’s 150th anniversary in 2015, my commitment as president is to exercise careful leadership that takes into consideration St. Jerome’s rich past, yet at the same time develops its potential to face the new challenges presented by church and society today and in the future.”

Perrin is an associate professor of spirituality and ethics at Saint Paul University in Ottawa, where he has also served as dean of the faculty. From 2002-2003, he was the provincial of the St. Peter’s Province of the Oblates.

A native of Chilliwack, B.C., Perrin lived most of his early life in the Petawawa, Ont., area where his father served in the armed forces. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1987.

His academic career began with an undergraduate degree in chemistry from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ont. He pursued studies in philosophy and theology at the University of Ottawa and Saint Paul University. He received a baccalaureate in theology, followed by a licentiate in theology from the Gregorian University in Rome and later received a doctorate in theology from the University of Ottawa and Saint Paul in 1995. His area of expertise is in Christian spirituality.

The last president at St. Jerome’s was Michael Higgins, who left in 2006 to become president of St. Thomas University, N.B. Myroslaw Tataryn, academic dean of St. Jerome’s, served as interim president.

Perrin will take on his new duties on Aug. 1. The appointment is for a five-year term and the new president will be installed on Sept. 15.