Most Reverend Earl Boyea, Bishop of Lansing, has appointed Michael O. Kenney, J.D., LL.M., of Livonia, MI to serve as the first President of Father Gabriel Richard High School in Ann Arbor. This new position was created in response to changes recently approved by Bishop Boyea concerning governance and administration of the Diocese of Lansing’s four high schools. Mr. Kenney is currently Vice President for Planning and Enrollment Management at Madonna University where he oversees enrollment and works with the president, provost, faculty, and staff on strategic planning.
Prior to Madonna University, Mr. Kenney served in the development office at the University of Notre Dame, meeting with alumni and benefactors in Chicago and Wisconsin and supervising marketing for the planned giving department. Mr. Kenney also served as one of the founding deans of Ave Maria School of Law and as assistant dean at Detroit Mercy School of Law. All told, Mr. Kenney brings 18 years of Catholic education administrative experience to this new role.
Commenting on his appointment, Kenney said, “Father Gabriel Richard High School has an extraordinary history and a bright future due to the dedication of the school’s principal, Brian Wolcott, and that of the faculty, staff, parents, and students. I am excited to engage the local community, to serve the students and their families, and to strive with the faculty to enable Father Gabriel Richard High School to be recognized as a national model of excellence.”
Fr. Steve Mattson, Superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Lansing, stated that he is very pleased with Mr. Kenney’s appointment. “He brings a wealth of experience, deep faith, and passionate commitment to the mission of Catholic education to his new role. FGR is a great school. Under Mr. Kenney’s leadership, I am confident that the school will become even more effective in fulfilling its mission of forming mature disciples of Christ.”
Mr. Kenney has taught undergraduate and MBA level marketing, Constitutional Law, Professional Responsibility, and Environmental Law. He also has co-hosted a live radio call-in program, competed in three marathons, and published multiple articles on education and the family.
In addition to his work in education, Mr. Kenney has been a licensed attorney for 31 years. He holds a bachelor of arts in English from the University of Notre Dame, a J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School, and an LL.M. from George Washington University School of Law. He serves on The Bellarmine Forum board in Wisconsin and the Real Life 101 board in metropolitan Detroit. Michael and his wife Mary Claire have seven children, and they are members of Our Lady of Sorrows School and parish in Farmington, Michigan.
Mr. Kenney will begin his new role as President at Fr. Gabriel Richard July 18, 2015.