Dr. Michael F. McLean, a member of the faculty at Thomas Aquinas College since 1978, was appointed the 38-year-old Santa Paula institution Oct. 24, effective in January 2010.

McLean succeeds interim president Peter L. DeLuca who took office last April after Dr. Thomas E. Dillon, president since 1991, died in an automobile accident. DeLuca will continue to serve as interim president until the end of the first semester later this year.

"Michael McLean has been a superior teacher, a superior dean, and a successful vice president for development," said Dr. Ronald P. McArthur, founding president and now a tutor at the college. "He is, therefore, not only qualified but competent and capable of the highest kind of leadership for the college today."

Thomas Aquinas College is required by its bylaws to look among the existing members of its teaching faculty for presidential candidates.

"I have a deep love for the College, for the faculty, and for the students and will commit myself completely to preserving the cCollege's mission, purpose, and fidelity to the Catholic Church," said McLean, 62, a parishioner of St. Sebastian Church, Santa Paula.

He holds a BA in philosophy from St. Mary's College, Moraga, and a PhD in philosophy from the University of Notre Dame. He was appointed to the faculty of Thomas Aquinas College in 1978 and has served as a tutor since that time. Additionally, he has as assistant dean for student affairs, vice president for development and, since 2003, dean of the college and member of its Board of Governors.

Prior to joining the college faculty, McLean served one year as a Peace Corps volunteer in St. Vincent, British West Indies, and another three years as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard, with responsibilities for shipboard operations and rescue coordination.

Thomas Aquinas College also has appointed three new members to its Board of Regents: Jim Latty of Westlake Village, Patrick Loughman of Ojai, and Jim Tierney of Northridge.