White House official named president of Pennsylvania Catholic college

Published: 2006-04-19

LATROBE, Pa. (CNS) -- He's worked with governors and U.S. senators, with the president of the United States and his Cabinet. But one of the biggest influences on H. James Towey's life was Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives said as he was introduced April 18 as the next president of St. Vincent College in Latrobe. "Mother Teresa was and is a great inspiration," said Towey, 49. "She taught me a lot. I wouldn't be here without her influence." In Washington, President George W. Bush praised Towey, who also has been an assistant to the president since 2002, as "a dedicated public servant who has served as a vital member of my administration for more than four years."

Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .