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ARLINGTON, VA – Bishop Blase J. Cupich of Spokane has been named chairman of the board of directors of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). The election of Bishop Cupich for a three-year term was announced by the board of directors of NCEA today. “We are honored to have Bishop Cupich lead Catholic educators nationwide at this time,” said Wilton Gregory, archbishop of Atlanta, who has served as NCEA chairman since 2010. “Bishop Cupich has been recognized for his exceptional leadership and commitment to Catholic education at all levels.”

NCEA President Dr. Karen Ristau expressed gratitude to Bishop Cupich for his willingness to chair the Association. “U.S. Catholic education is facing both exciting and challenging times. Bishop Cupich has a deep faith in the importance of Catholic education at all levels. The bishop’s vision and confidence in strengthening and expanding Catholic education for future generations will be a great gift to NCEA and our members.”

“Catholic education has played a significant role in the United States over many generations and continues in our day to enrich the lives of individuals, the church, and our society through a tradition distinguished by an emphasis on developing and forming the full human person,” Bishop Cupich said. “The National Catholic Educational Association has a proven track record of providing excellent leadership, direction, and service at the national level in support of Catholic educational programs and those who serve this great mission of the church,” Bishop Cupich said. “I am proud to be associated with NCEA and I am honored to serve as its board chairman and to support its mission,” he added.

Bishop Cupich has served as bishop of the Diocese of Spokane since 2010. Prior to that, he was bishop of the Diocese of Rapid City for 12 years, where he worked to establish a new Catholic elementary school at the recently created Terra Sancta campus. Prior to that he served as a pastor in Omaha and was president/rector of the Pontifical College, Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. He has served as Secretary for the Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C. His career also included service as a secondary school teacher.

The author of many publications and pastoral letters, Bishop Cupich is a frequent contributor to America magazine. Bishop Cupich serves on numerous national and international boards. He was the chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People and is presently a member of the Subcommittee for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe and the Subcommittee on the Translation of Scripture Text. A trustee of the Catholic Mutual Relief Society, Bishop Cupich also is on the Catholic Extension Society Board of Directors and chair of its Mission Committee.

Bishop Cupich began his life in Omaha, Nebraska, one of nine children born to Mary and Blase Cupich. He is a product of Catholic education, attending SS. Peter and Paul Elementary School and Archbishop Ryan High School, both in Omaha. He received his B.A. in philosophy from the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul and studied theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. His doctorate in sacred theology was awarded by The Catholic University of America, Washington D.C.

NCEA President Dr. Ristau noted that Bishop Cupich will begin his three-year term in March 2013 and will meet with members at NCEA’s annual convention in Houston, Texas on April 2-4. “This will be the Association’s first meeting in that great city,” she added. “It is fitting that we welcome Bishop Cupich to begin his leadership in a diocese where Catholic education is growing and new schools have opened.”

Established in 1904, the NCEA is the largest private professional education organization in the world, representing 200,000 Catholic educators serving 7.6 million students in Catholic elementary and secondary schools, in religious education programs, in seminaries, and in colleges and universities.

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