Pledging to uphold the faith, morals and teachings of the Catholic Church, Walsh University’s newly appointed seventh president, Tim Collins, Ed.D., made a public profession of faith by reciting the Oath of Fidelity to the Magisterium during the University’s annual Opening Week Mass of the Holy Spirit on Wednesday, August 28.
President Collins took the Oath surrounded by members of Walsh’s founding order, the Brothers of Christian Instruction, and University Chaplain Reverend Thomas Cebula, who accompanied him in the recitation of the Oath.
National Catholic Register Highlights Oath of Fidelity with article "A New Years Resoultion for Catholic Colleges."
“When you think about the Oath of Fidelity, we think about it in terms of a covenant. God has established a covenant with each and every one of us. And with any covenant, there are responsibilities. There are values that we hold deep within our very being,” said Diocese of Youngstown, Chancellor, Vicar of Pastoral Education and Service, Rev. Monsignor John A. Zuraw, J.C.L., Opening Week Holy Mass Celebrant. “As President Collins takes this Oath of Fidelity, he takes it first and foremost to be faithful to God and all that He does and all that He will be. But this Oath of Fidelity also implies a relationship with each and every one of you…that he will do his best to lead this University with values and principles based on the Gospel.”
The Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a directive to Catholic colleges and universities in March 1989, requiring those directly connected with teaching Catholic doctrine on faith and morals to profess their adherence to the teaching authority of the Church.
Dr. Timothy J. Collins is the University’s seventh president and joined the Walsh community on August 5. A senior executive since 1997, Dr. Collins came to Walsh from Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) where he served as Chief Government Relations Officer for the nation’s largest university affiliated research center. In addition, Dr. Collins served as the Board Secretary for APL and Chair of two graduate degree programs in the Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering. Prior to joining Johns Hopkins University in 2005, Dr. Collins served as a Senior Officer in the U.S. Air Force with multiple senior command experiences during his 23 years of service in the U.S. and abroad.
Dr. Collins brings more than 22 years of senior-level experience to Walsh University as a distinguished higher education professional with leadership expertise in philanthropic endeavors and a demonstrated understanding of a private university’s mission, student-centered culture and Catholic traditions. As a national guest lecturer and scholar on Catholic higher education, Dr. Collins has been involved in Catholic education for nearly three decades and earned his doctorate in higher education and organizational change from Benedictine University.
The University’s campus-wide celebration of Holy Mass was the culminating event of a week’s worth of activities designed to welcome students to Walsh. A special selection of items were presented to represent the Walsh community's hopes for the coming year, interests, signature programs and Cavalier athletic teams.
In preparation for Welcome Weekend, members of the Walsh community continued the tradition of praying for incoming first-year and transfer students by name at a late night prayer and Adoration with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Chapel.
Walsh University welcomed the Freshman Class of 2023 and all students back to campus on August 24-25 for the start of 2019-20 school year. Joining this year’s Cavs Crew of student move-in volunteers were Dr. Collins, his wife, Drenda, and Walsh Senior Chaplain Rev. Thomas Cebula. The group donned the yellow Cavs Crew t-shirts and were on hand to welcome students and unload cars.
Saturday activities also included Walsh’s Matriculation Ceremony, which is a more than 900-year-old tradition that marks the moment that new students officially become part of the learning community at Walsh University.
“Today, our new students are taking their place. They are taking their place in seeking to improve their lives and to improve the lives of others. As you take your place, we understand that you are on a journey that is to prepare you for the rest of your life,” said Dr. Collins. “When you chose Walsh University, you chose an approach. And this approach is to ensure that during your time at Walsh University, you gain the intellectual, emotional, moral, physical and the spiritual tools that you will need as you go forth to do whatever it is that is your life’s purpose.”
Dr. Collins will be formally inaugurated as Walsh University President during a ceremony later this year.
Oath of Fidelity
I, (state your name), in assuming the office of (state your role), promise that in my words and in my actions I shall always preserve communion with the Catholic Church.
With great care and fidelity I shall carry out the duties incumbent on me toward the Church, both universal and particular, in which, according to the provisions of the law, I have been called to exercise my service.
In fulfilling the charge entrusted to me in the name of the Church, I shall hold fast to the deposit of faith in its entirety; I shall faithfully hand it on and explain it, and I shall avoid any teachings contrary to it.
I shall follow and foster the common discipline of the entire Church and I shall maintain the observance of all ecclesiastical laws, especially those contained in the Code of Canon Law.
With Christian obedience I shall follow what the Bishops, as authentic doctors and teachers of the faith, declare, or what they, as those who govern the Church, establish. I shall also faithfully assist the diocesan Bishops, so that the apostolic activity, exercised in the name and by mandate of the Church, may be carried out in communion with the Church.
So help me God, and God’s Holy Gospels on which I place my hand.
