Father Alvin Matthews, O.F.M., has been appointed director of the Newman Apostolate in the Archdiocese of Atlanta to coordinate the many faceted activities on college and university campuses.

The work of four full-time and three part-time chaplains in the archdiocese will be under his general direction. In a new structural arrangement approved by the Synod, Father Matthew’s sub-department is one of five grouped under the Department of Education headed by Father Daniel J. O’Connor and a board of education.

Newman centers include the new Spalding Chapel and Student Center at the University of Georgia (Father Christian Malone, O.F.M.); Centers at Georgia Tech (Father Matthews), Emory (Father Placid Person, O.S.B.), Atlanta University (Father Lorcan Graham, O.F.M.). Father Graham also serves Georgia State and Olgethorpe while Father Placid serves Agnes Scott.

Out of Atlanta, Father Frank Ruff serves North Georgia College at Dahlonega, Father M. Jarlath Burke, West Georgia at Carrollton, Father James Harrison, Brenau College at Gainesville and Father Michael McKeever, Woman’s College of Georgia at Milledgeville.

“The archdiocese is keeping pace with the national student movement after a slow start on many Georgia campuses,” said Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan.

“Trained personnel and good centers are urgently needed as the Catholic enrollment continues to grow.” “New approaches and new insights are in the contemporary manner,” he said, “but the three faces of Newman are still essential -- steady and modern pastoral service, religious education on an academic plane, and the daily penetration of the campus society by a faith that is firm, lively and radiant.”