As it prepares for its 90th anniversary celebration this summer, Villanova Preparatory School in Ojai has named Charles Roy president, effective July 1.
Roy will succeed Augustinian Father John Keller, who has served as president since January 2013. Father Keller will return to his post as director of education for the Augustinians in the West.
Roy is completing seven years at Notre Dame High School in Peoria, Ill., an 800-student Catholic high school, where he was principal, an instructor and dean of students. He holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Bradley University and a Bachelor’s in Religious Studies from Wabash College. He has been an RCIA team member at his parish and has presented at National Catholic Education Association conference. He and his wife Aimee have three children.
Villanova will launch its 90th anniversary celebration at the annual Alumni Weekend in July. Attendees will see a display of archival photos going back to 1924, the year Villanova opened, and see a 1953 promotional film produced by Walter Lance (who created the Woody Woodpecker cartoons) and narrated by football star and broadcaster Tom Harmon.
The July 25 luau (for alumni celebrating 10, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 years) will be followed by a July 26 morning Mass in the Cantwell Hall Chapel, and BBQ — a tradition launched soon after the school opened in 1924. A young Elizabeth Taylor was once its hostess, Shirley Temple attended one year, and Fred MacMurry manned a coin-toss booth.
Ahead of that celebration, a golf tournament to benefit Villanova’s athletics program will be held May 18 at Soule Park Golf Course, with tee-off at 10 a.m. Lunch will be provided on the golf carts and a Santa Maria style BBQ dinner will take place 2-4 p.m.
Last year’s tournament raised nearly $25,000 for new flooring, weights, and several fitness machines in the weight room. This year’s goal is to further upgrade the locker and training rooms in Clark Gymnasium.
For information on these events, call (805) 646-1424; email [email protected]; or visit www.villanovaprep.org/golf.
