The Reverend Dennis Dease
The Reverend Dennis Dease is president of the University of St. Thomas and has held this position since his appointment as the 14th president of the university in 1991. Under his leadership St. Thomas has expanded significantly its reputation, programs and facilities,, adding several major buildings to its St. Paul campus and establishing a Minneapolis campus for its College of Business, School of Education, and newly reopened School of Law.
While Father Dease is known nationally as an outstanding educational leader, first and foremost, he is a priest.
Prior to his appointment as president, Father Dease was active in many areas as a scholar and leader. He earned a B.A. degree in Latin and philosophy from the Saint Paul Seminary in 1965, an M.A. degree in counseling psychology from the University of St. Thomas in 1972, an M.Div. degree from the Saint Paul Seminary in 1973, and a Ph.D. degree in systematic theology from the Catholic University of America in 1978. He was ordained in 1969.
He taught theology at the then-College of St. Thomas, and served as spiritual director and dean of formation at the St. Paul Seminary. Prior to becoming president of St. Thomas, Father Dease was also associate pastor at the Church of St. John the Evangelist in Hopkins and, from 1985 to 1991, rector of the Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis.
His leadership skills are highly respected by his peers. From 2000-02, he served as chair of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities. He is now active in the International Association of Catholic Universities.