New University of St. Thomas chief vows unity, respect at inauguration
The University of St. Thomas’ new president began his inaugural address by urging those gathered to wish each other peace, a part of the Catholic mass.
A message of unity and respect was conveyed during the installation ceremony of Richard Ludwick as the ninth president of the private Catholic university. He started his post over the summer.
“Ours is an open university that welcomes people of all faith and people of no faith,” he said. “It is because we are Catholic that we must reach out to others of goodwill. We will be leaders in our location, the greater Houston area, and we will be leaders beyond.”
Ludwick spoke to faculty, students, board members and Catholic leadership on Friday at his inauguration, held at the Montrose campus’ activity and athletic center.
He pledged to navigate the 70-year-old university through internal challenges, including financial concerns, and external cultural shifts, including a national questioning of higher education’s value.
Ludwick came to St. Thomas from the Independent Colleges of Indiana, a group of 31 private colleges and universities that he led .
Previously, he held positions at St. Gregory’s University in Oklahoma and Albany Law School in New York, where he worked in enrollment management and student affairs.
St. Thomas must “step forward and be clear” about what it offers society in this era, he said, adding that the university is an “active partner” of the city and surrounding areas.
Partnerships with local institutions, including the medical center and museums, will give
students practical learning opportunities and internships, he said.
“We have often thought of ourselves as a small light,” he said. “The University of St. Thomas is a light, yes, but it is not small. That is not our destiny.”
Chosen from among 37 applicants, Ludwick was a clear choice to lead St. Thomas, board Chairman Herbert Edmundson said in introductory remarks. He called the new president “disarmingly decisive” and “gentle of heart.”
He urged Ludwick to “stabilize and make flourish the financial health of the institution in a challenging time.”
Last spring, then-President Robert Ivany said the university was facing a possibly growing budget shortfall. Amid this concern, administrators reviewed programs in philosophy and English for possible reorganization or elimination. Professors in these departments received their contracts after a delay.
Ivany’s administration expanded science, technology, engineering, math and nursing programs at St. Thomas. Some faculty and alumni feared the program review indicated that the university did not value the liberal arts.
Ludwick on Friday highlighted the importance of both faith and science to the university, comparing the two to “a beautiful couple dancing together.”
“The steps work in union,” he said. “We can sit back in awe and wonder as they perform the magic that brings to life their individual talents.”
Already, Ludwick has navigated a mammoth challenge — Hurricane Harvey hit Houston just months into his tenure. He applauded students for volunteering during the storm.
Lee Holm, who leads St. Thomas’ staff council, said Ludwick assisted other administrators in contacting students during Harvey. Holm told the story of one standout interaction.
“Hi, this is Dr. Ludwick with the University of St. Thomas,” the president said to a student who picked up his call.
“Who?” the student responded.
“Who I am is not important,” Ludwick replied. “Who I am with, is. I am with the University of St. Thomas. Is your family okay?”
Holm said the interaction showed humility and that Ludwick was “committed” to making St. Thomas “outstanding.”