The Catholic University of America has named a new president, John Garvey, a law professor and dean of Boston College Law School — and a layman. Garvey replaces Most Rev. David M. O’Connell, who led CUA for twelve years. (Reverend O’Connell is leaving to serve as coadjutor bishop for the Archdiocese of Trenton.)

Most Rev. Allen H. Vingeron, archbishop of Detroit and chairman of both the CUA board of trustees and the search committee, said that the trustees would have preferred to name a priest as president, all other things being equal, but that the committee found Garvey to be the most qualified person in this case.

Garvey calls his appointment “the greatest honor I have ever received” and pledges to serve the Catholic Church and the Church community by raising the university’s ambitions.