Ave Maria University names Christopher Ice as its new president

Ave Maria University named Christopher Ice as its new president on Friday. Ice is the former CEO of Catholic Charities of Kansas City, Missouri.

The founder of Ave Maria University and the man behind Dominoes Pizza, Tom Monaghan, came to the town to say goodbye.

“Thank you for your faithful service to Ave Maria for the last eight-and-a-half years,” Monaghan said. “I am very grateful.”

The students, staff and faculty appreciated Jim Towey’s leadership. The incoming and soon to be Ave Maria’s third president, Ice, 56, thanked a higher power for the designation.

“Can’t say that I’ve ever dream one day I’d be the president,” Ice said. “Through the Lord’s plan, here I stand today and I’m honored.”

Ice, the soon to be former CEO of Catholic Charities in Kanas City, said the student body has a strong Catholic faith. He is ready to reinforce and spread that through academics. But, Ice plans to consider the board and outside opinions before he implements any thoughts and ideas.

Nonetheless, with Ice’s background in fundraising, his focus is to grow the university, which currently has an enrollment of over 1,000 students.

“When it comes to the fundraising, obviously, the university always needs extra money for that and scholarships,” Ice said. “And that’s gonna be one of my focuses.”