December 16, 2011
Newburgh, NY -
Fr. Kevin
E. Mackin, OFM, president of Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh,
NY, has again been named an Irish Education Top 100 honoree.
The list, compiled by the Irish Voice newspaper,
highlights top educators in America and the long standing Irish
commitment to excellence in education.
“I humbly accept this honor,” said Fr. Mackin, “on behalf of
fellow educators at Mount Saint Mary College, and in memory of my
parents.”
Fr. Mackin, who was inaugurated president of the college
overlooking the Hudson River in 2008, traces his roots to County
Mayo, where his parents were born, and to County Galway, where his
father grew up. Martin and Margaret met in Brooklyn, New York,
married, and had four children including Kevin.
Pursuing religious and professional education throughout his
life, Fr. Mackin previously served as president of Siena College in
Loudonville, New York for 11 years, and also was a professor of
religious studies, a practice he continues at Mount Saint Mary
College.
While in New York’s Capitol region, he was active on the board
of directors of the Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce, and with
other associations, including the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
A Franciscan priest in the Order of Friars Minor, Fr. Mackin
earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from St. Bonaventure
University, a master’s degree in history from Siena College, and a
doctorate in sacred theology cum laude and three other credentials
from The Catholic University of America. He is also an alumnus of
the Harvard Institutes for Higher Education, and studied at
Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and the World Council of
Churches, Geneva, Switzerland.
From 1988 to 1996, he was director of development for the
Franciscans of the Province of the Most Holy Name of Jesus, based
in New York City. His many other roles for the province have
included education chairman.
Fr. Mackin has served on various national, diocesan, and
educational committees. He was recently elected to the board of
trustees of the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities
of New York State, for a three year term (2011-14). He is a
commissioner of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education,
the organization that accredits more than 500 colleges and
universities. He belongs to the Association of Governing Boards of
Colleges & Universities.
He also served on the board of directors of the Association of
Catholic Colleges and Universities, with over 200 institutions. He
formerly chaired the Association of Franciscan Colleges and
Universities, and was a trustee of the Commission on Independent
Colleges and Universities in New York State.
In the Newburgh, New York area, he serves on the Orange County
Chamber of Commerce Board and the Pattern for Progress Board. He
continues to serve as chair of the Skyline Athletic Conference, and
is also on the board of directors of the Newburgh Armory Unity
Center and the Greater Newburgh Partnership.
Fr. Mackin has received numerous awards and recognitions,
including the Monsignor Burns Memorial Award, The Tech Valley
Business Hall of Fame Award, and The State of New York Legislative
Resolution Honor (Senate No. 2243) adopted on May 15, 2007.