Edmund J. Dobbin

The Reverend Edmund J. Dobbin OSA
President of Villanova University
In office 1988–2006
Preceded by	John M. Driscoll, OSA
Succeeded by	Peter M. Donohue, OSA
Personal details
Born	(1935-11-20)November 20, 1935 Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died	March 8, 2015(2015-03-08) (aged 79) Villanova, Pennsylvania, United States
Education	Saint Clare School Augustinian Academy Villanova University (BA) Augustinian College (MA) Catholic University of America (MS, STL) University of Louvain (STD)

Edmund Joseph Dobbin (November 20, 1935 – March 8, 2015) was a Roman Catholic priest of the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA, ordained 1962), and 31st president of Villanova University from 1988 to 2006. Raised in Brooklyn and Staten Island, New York, he became a noted educator in theology and mathematics, and Villanova's longest-serving president.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

According to Villanova's statement announcing his death: "During his tenure as President, he heightened awareness of the Augustinian character of the University, significantly increased the school's endowment, and embarked on an expansion of the campus, its facilities, and its programs."[5] The Philadelphia Inquirer added: "During Father Dobbin's tenure, Villanova basketball went national. He envisioned basketball as a way to help Villanova appear on the national stage."[4] At the same time, he led Villanova academics to national recognition, and to a long string of annual rankings as the top Northeast regional university.[1]

References

1. "Reverend Edmund J. Dobbin, O.S.A." Villanova University. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
2. "Rev. Edmund Dobbin, 79". Staten Island Advance. March 10, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
3. "Former Staten Islander and president emeritus of Villanova University, the Rev. Edmund J. Dobbin, dies at age 79". Staten Island Advance. March 10, 2015. Retrieved September 19, 2017.
4. "E. Dobbin, Villanova president". The Philadelphia Inquirer. March 11, 2015. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
5. "In Memoriam: Edmund J. Dobbin, O.S.A., 31st President of Villanova University". The Augustinians: Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova. March 9, 2015. Retrieved January 3, 2025.
6. "Reverend Edmund Dobbin, O.S.A. Obituary". Stretch Funeral Home. March 2015. Archived from the original on September 21, 2018.