Who could fill the shoes of Sister Thomas?

The question wasn't rhetorical for the University of Mary Board of Trustees. Sister Thomas earlier this year announced that she would retire as president of the university on June 30.

To say that Sister Thomas was well liked would be an understatement. Not only because she led the university for 30 years during which time it grew and grew, not only in size but in reputation. Rather, because she joyfully embraced the whole community, and that community reached well beyond the boundaries of North Dakota.

Who could fill her shoes?

The man who will have that opportunity is the Rev. James Shea. The trustees announced Friday that Father Shea will take over as president of the university. And it seems he might be just the person for the job.

Father Shea has the same kind of, yet different, personal charisma as Sister Thomas. Clearly, he sees that the mission of the university has a higher calling. That while it educates and trains people for careers, it must also attend to students' spiritual growth. He shares that kind of vision with his predecessor.

The choice caught some people by surprise. We are so used to seeing people with years and years of experience called to lead our institutions, it's not usual to see someone with Father Shea's youth (he's but 33) placed in such a position. But then, we are older in North Dakota, and rather fond of the status quo.

Father Shea will, no doubt, bring his considerable energy to the task of leading the University of Mary. He is no stranger to this community. Many here have worked with him or heard him shepherd a church through a difficult service. Anyone who has listened to him speak from the pulpit knows he has a good mind.

And we are not strangers to him. He's from Hazelton, he taught and has been a priest in this community, and, more recently, in the Killdeer and Halliday communities.

To Father Shea's advantage, he inherits an administrative management team at the university that's been in place for a number of years. Where he's not experienced, it is likely that members of that team are well tested.

The University of Mary has changed dramatically through Sister Thomas' tenure. The buildings and facilities mushroomed on the bluff overlooking the Missouri River. The number of students has been trending upward forever. Academic offerings have been expanded. Continuing this tradition will be a considerable challenge for Father Shea; after all, he will not be Sister Thomas.

Father Shea, good luck to you, and God bless.