WHEELING, WV, Aug. 7, 2009 — With the recent change in leadership at the University Acting President J. Davitt McAteer released a statement today offering a promise of continued success at Wheeling Jesuit.

"We're in a very positive place, and we're poised for the new school year," McAteer said. "We have 1,200 students coming back to Wheeling in about three weeks time. Nothing has changed in the classrooms. We have the same excellent teachers, and we are focused on educating our students."

McAteer will remain acting president until an interim president is selected by the Board of Directors and approved by the Board of Trustees. A presidential search committee is now being formed.

“Throughout his career, J. Davitt McAteer has been loyal to Wheeling Jesuit University. While Wheeling Jesuit has evolved into an educational leader in this region, Davitt has served in a variety of roles and knows the institution well. I am confident that he will provide steady leadership during this period of transition,” said the Most Rev. Michael J. Bransfield, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston. The University is the only Catholic college or university in the state of West Virginia.

The University welcomes new students to campus on Thursday, Aug. 27 and returning students move in a few days later. Fall classes begin on Monday, Aug. 31.

“We are looking forward to seeing all our students return to campus and we are committed to making the leadership transition as smooth as possible for the university, the students, and for the alumni in general,” McAteer said.

McAteer is an alumnus of the University (class of 1966) and has been Vice President of Wheeling Jesuit University since 2005.

He earned his juris doctorate from West Virginia University 1970. From 1992 – 2000, McAteer was the Assistant Secretary for Mine Safety and Health, United States Department of Labor. McAteer is also an acting solicitor for the U.S. Department of Labor and is the director of the independent Blue Ribbon Panel that examined and reported on the Sago Mine Disaster at Aracoma Alma No. 1 mine for West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin.