Presidential Press Release

Fr. Louis Studer, OMI, former Provincial for the U.S. Province of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, has been named president of Oblate School of Theology. The Board of Trustees unanimously recommended Fr. Studer’s appointment following a nationwide search conducted by a presidential search committee comprised of members of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate United States Province (OMIUSA), trustees, faculty, and administration. His appointment was approved by the Members of the Corporation of Oblate School of Theology. Fr. Studer will begin his role as president on July 1, 2024.

Rev. Louis Benedict Studer, born in Algona, IA, celebrated his first vows as an Oblate in August of 1972 in Godfrey, IL. In August of 1975 he made his Perpetual Vows at the Provincial House in St. Paul, MN. His first assignment saw him transition from a deacon to the Associate Pastor at Assumption Parish from 1975 to 1976. Fr. Louis served a number of different leadership positions in the Midwest from 1976 through 2011 ranging from Principal and Teacher at St. Henry’s Seminary in Belleville, IL to Chaplin at the University of Minnesota and the Federal Correction Center to the Director of the Shrine and MAMI at the Shrine of Our Lady of Snows in Belleville, IL. During this time, Fr. Louis grew in wisdom, experience, and nurtured his welcoming heart that exudes mission and concern for the poor. Fr. Louis became the Vicar Provincial/Personnel Director at the Provincial Office of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate United States Province (OMIUSA) in 2011. In 2017 until earlier this year, 2023, Fr. Louis served as the Provincial of OMIUSA. Fr. Louis was awarded with his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Lewis University, his Master of Divinity from Weston Jesuit School of Theology, his Master of Science in Education from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and his Doctor of Education from Saint Louis University.

You can view or download the full Press Release here.

“We knew that leading Oblate School of Theology would present a compelling opportunity to the right candidate, and we are confident Fr. Louis Studer embodies the formidable set of qualities embedded in the presidential job prospectus at the beginning of the search. Fr. Lou knows OST well and embodies the Oblate Charism that drives all work at the school. Anyone who meets him will find a welcoming heart that exudes mission and concern for the poor, the very heart of our institutional mission.”

– Scott Woodward, DMin, current president of Oblate School of Theology.