Father Udovic shares his extensive knowledge of Lincoln Park's history at a neighborhood gathering sponsored by the Lincoln Park Community Research Initiative. Fr. Udovic, vice president for Mission and Ministry and secretary of the university, will retire at the end of the 2018-19 academic year. (DePaul University/Jamie Moncrief)
The Reverend Edward R. Udovic, C.M., Ph.D., first joined the DePaul University community as an undergraduate and first-generation college student in 1972. He graduated in 1976 and returned nearly 20 years later to serve as senior executive for university mission. Fr. Udovic announced this morning, Jan. 24, he will retire at the end of the 2018-19 academic year.
“Over the years, I have had the privilege of working with the Board of Trustees, the university’s executive and senior leadership, my brother Vincentians, the dedicated and talented staff members in my various areas of responsibility, my colleagues in the history department and faculty and staff from across the university – all in service to the generations of students whom God has entrusted in our care,” Udovic shared in a statement.
Fr. Udovic currently serves as vice president for Mission and Ministry and secretary for the university. He also is a professor in the History Department in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences.
Father Udovic offers some words of wisdom to the graduates gathered inside the St. Vincent de Paul Parish during a Baccalaureate Mass. (DePaul University/Jamie Moncrief)Ordained in 1984 as a Vincentian priest from the Western Province of the Congregation of the Mission, Fr. Udovic has a doctorate in Church history from the Catholic University of America. He has led Mission and Ministry, formerly known as Mission and Values, since July 1995 and became secretary of the university in May 2001. He has served in multiple leadership positions and continued to teach throughout his time at DePaul.
“In each of these positions I have tried my best as a Vincentian to serve the university to which I personally owe more than I can express,” he said. “I was an undergraduate student when DePaul celebrated its 75th anniversary. I helped plan the university’s centennial in 1998, and as a retiree, I will look forward to celebrating the university’s 125th anniversary in a few years.”
An expert in Catholic and Vincentian history, as well as Ancién Regime France, Fr. Udovic will continue his research and write in retirement. He hopes to continue to teach a course or two. He also will continue to lead DePaul’s Vincentian Heritage Trips.
“On behalf of the university community, I wish to express my sincere gratitude for Fr. Ed’s leadership and vision. His many contributions have left a profound impact on our university community, and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to learn from him during my time at DePaul,” says A. Gabriel Esteban, Ph.D., president of DePaul University. “We look forward to celebrating his years of service as the academic year comes to a close.”