Fleming

WHEELING — The Wheeling Jesuit University Board of Trustees is expected to appoint an interim president for the school later this month after accepting the resignation of the Rev. James J. Fleming this week.

Fleming submitted his resignation to the board Tuesday.

The search for an interim president has been launched with an appointment to be made on or before Jan. 15. The university has appointed Michael Ferguson as executive vice president of operations and finance, and he will join the WJU community on Monday.

Msgr. Kevin M. Quirk, chairman of the university’s board of trustees, accepted Fleming’s resignation on behalf of the board and the university community.

“We are extremely grateful for the leadership and enthusiasm that Father Fleming brought to Wheeling Jesuit. He has developed many wonderful relationships with alumni and members of the local community, while seeking to secure a stronger future for Wheeling Jesuit,” Quirk said. “His intensive work over the last year culminated in the recently signed Declaration of Shared Purpose among the Diocese, the Jesuits, and the university, which marks a new phase in the life of the university and a new model in Catholic higher education. The declaration and the partnership it symbolizes, particularly the diocese’s substantial financial investment, will allow Wheeling Jesuit’s light to shine for many years.”

The diocese is providing financial support to the university so it may continue operations and meet its financial obligations, which it could not achieve independently in its current or previous fiscal year. Additional financial assistance will be carefully considered by the diocese. The document also provides for an operational structure that “balances the financial investment of the diocese, preserves and promotes Jesuit identity, and creates opportunities to grow new academic programs at the university,” according to school officials.

“It has been an honor for me to serve the university, the Jesuit community here and the people of the greater Wheeling area,” Fleming said. “I believe the hard work and sacrifice of our trustees, faculty, staff, alumni and particularly Bishop Bransfield and the diocese, have brought the institution to a point where a change in leadership seems natural and wise. My ministry here in West Virginia has been the most engaging in my 34 years as a Jesuit educator and made me a better priest. For that, I am deeply grateful.”

The Most Rev. Michael J. Bransfield, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, thanked Fleming for his service.

“Fr. Jim Fleming has been an important part of the Catholic community in this diocese and region since he arrived in 2010,” Bransfield said. “His commitment to the university and the broader community will always be remembered.”

Fleming has served as an administrator at WJU for seven years — the first three as vice president and as president since 2013.

Kelly Klubert, WJU executive director of alumni and communications, said it is not unusual for the Jesuit community to move leaders into other roles after a period of time.

“In the Jesuit order, seven years is a long time for a member to serve in a leadership role at an organization. First and foremost, Fr. Fleming has accomplished his goal, which was to fortify and move forward the longstanding partnership between the university, the Jesuits and the diocese. (Fleming) has guided the university through some tough times and believes Wheeling Jesuit is in a good place, and ready for a new leader to write its next chapter,” Klubert said. “(Fleming) is confident the new leadership will take Wheeling Jesuit to new heights, and create opportunities to grow new academic programs. We are all grateful for (his) hard work and commitment to the university and thank him for service.”

Fleming