Fr. Stephen A. Privett, S.J. Named President of

WATTS, CA March 27th, 2018 -- The Board of Directors of Verbum Dei High School today announced the appointment of Fr. Stephen A. Privett, S.J. as President. Fr. Privett will lead the Catholic boys’ high school that has been acclaimed for providing its South Central Los Angeles students a rigorous college prep curriculum for more than five decades.

“We are delighted to welcome Fr. Steve Privett as the new President of Verbum Dei High School,” said, Scott Wendelin, Chairman of the Board of Verbum Dei. “Fr. Privett brings extensive experience in leadership roles at premier Jesuit educational institutions, including the University of , where he most recently served as President. He has outstanding academic credentials with a demonstrated track record of success in effectively leading academic institutions through periods of significant growth and change. As a Jesuit and an educator, Fr. Privett is passionate about Verbum Dei’s mission and values.”

To identify the best possible candidate to lead Verbum Dei’s next phase of growth and development, the Board formed a search committee and engaged the executive search firm, The Finney Search Group, to conduct an extensive, national search. After meeting with many outstanding candidates, the Board unanimously agreed that Fr. Steve Privett was the clear choice for our next President.

“I am deeply honoured by the Board’s confidence in me, and I am very excited about the opportunity to work with the entire Verbum Dei community as we transition to a private, Jesuit school and one of the leading college preparatory schools in Southern California,” said Fr. Stephen Privett, S.J. “The next chapter will be an exciting one filled with new opportunities for our faculty and staff, our students and families and our community.”

As the school transitions from a Los Angeles Archdiocesan school to a private, Jesuit school, Verbum Dei is focused on aligning its mission with the Jesuit mission of preparing young men for college and productive lives by delivering a superb academic education and, at the same time, inspiring students to embrace spirituality, scholarship, service and leadership. Plans call for expanding and enhancing academic programs and increasing enrollment to serve more students, enhancing Verbum Dei’s impact on the community it serves. Verbum Dei will continue to be part of the Cristo Rey Network of schools and maintain its work-study program which has had an immeasurable impact on the students.

Fr. Privett succeeds Fr. Michael Mandala, S.J. who served as Verbum Dei’s past President. “Fr. Mike Mandala has been a dedicated President and educator,” said Scott Wendelin, “His tenure is marked by many success stories. In 2017, 100% percent of Verbum Dei graduates were accepted to leading colleges, including many of the most prestigious universities in the country, and our Work Study program sponsors increased to include nearly 100 companies, including many of the most prominent corporations and professional services firms in Los Angeles. We want to thank Fr. Mike for his many contributions to Verbum Dei.”

Previously, Fr. Privett served as Chancellor and President of the University of San Francisco, Principal of Bellarmine College Preparatory School, and Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at . He is a graduate of and completed graduate work U.C. Berkeley Jesuit School of Theology; U.C. Santa Barbara; Catechetics/Religious Education and earned a PhD at the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.

About Verbum Dei High School Verbum Dei High School, founded in 1962, is a Catholic, Jesuit-sponsored college preparatory school, complemented by a corporate work study program, which serves academically underserved young men of Watts and the surrounding communities. The school’s mission is to develop self-confident young men who are intellectually motivated, spiritual, contemplative, and courageous in their pursuit of a more humane and just world.

Media Contact: Financial Profiles, Inc. Moira Conlon [email protected] 310-478-2700