News

WALSH UNIVERSITY APPOINTS NEW CHAPLAIN

Father Christopher M. Saliga, O.P, R.N. Named to Newly Created Full-Time Position

North Canton, Ohio, May 2, 2008 - Walsh University is pleased to announce the appointment of Father Christopher M. Saliga O.P., R.N., as the new University Chaplain.Father Chris will be the first full time chaplain at Walsh University and will assume his new position on July 1. The need to expand from a part to full time chaplain position is a direct result of Walsh’s growing community that now serves over 3,000 persons.

“We are honored that such a dedicated, charismatic and devoted inspirational leader will serve as chaplain to our student body, faculty and staff," said Richard Jusseaume, President of Walsh University. "His impressive experience, background in higher education, and outgoing personality will all be assets to the University community."

During his most recent assignment, Father Chris served in health care and campus ministries.As a health care chaplain and ethicist with the Dominican Friars Health Care Ministry of New York, St. Catherine of Siena Church and Priory, Fr. Chris served in collaboration with Hospital for Special Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and New York, Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center.Within campus ministry, he served part time at both Columbia and Quinnipiac Universities.

As University Chaplain, Father Chris will be responsible for Sacramental and liturgical life of the entire Walsh community. Father Chris will also partner with campus ministry for faith based experiential programs for students, faculty and staff at Walsh University.

From 1984 to 1988, he served in the United States Army as a Combat Medic and Paratrooper with both conventional and unconventional American and Korean forces.From 1988 to 1992, Father Chris completed his Bachelor of Science (Nursing) at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, after which he accepted a commission as a United States Navy Nurse Corps Officer.From 1992 to 1996, Father Chris spent the majority of his time serving at Naval Medical Center, Oakland, CA, in both surgical and internal medicine departments.He also served briefly aboard the USS New Orleans and the USS Carl Vinson.Finally, he helped train and certify more that 200 Navy medical personnel in basic trauma life support, basic cardiac life support, and small weapons familiarization prior to their deploying to Zagreb, Croatia, in medical support of the United Nations Protective Forces, Bosnia.

Upon completing his active Naval service, Father Chris returned to the Franciscan University of Steubenville to serve as a clinical nursing instructor while also serving as a Navy Nurse Corps Officer with the United States Marine Corps Reserve.In July 1998, Father Chris entered the Dominican Order’s Province of St. Joseph and was ordained a priest in 2005. He has served at Saint Catherine of Siena Church and Priory since his ordination.