St. Mary’s University inaugurated Thomas M. Mengler, J.D., as the institution’s 13th president during a Eucharistic celebration Nov. 9, 2012.

Before joining St. Mary’s on June 1 of this year, Mengler was the dean of the University of St. Thomas School of Law in Minneapolis.Prior to that, he served at the University of Illinois, where he was dean of the College of Law as well as interim provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs. Mengler received his bachelor’s in philosophy from Carleton College and a master’s in philosophy from the University of Texas at Austin, where he also earned his law degree.

St. Mary’s 12th president Charles L. Cotrell, Ph.D., announced last year that he would return to teaching after 13 years as the University’s first lay president. The Board of Directors announced President Mengler’s appointment in February after a nationwide search.

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