Rich Bautch - HCI

Richard J. Bautch, Ph.D.

Executive Director, The Holy Cross Institute

Professor in The School of Arts and Humanities

Dr. Richard Bautch hails from the Chicago area and is a product of Holy Cross education (University of Notre Dame, MA and Ph D). As an educator, his deepest roots are in Catholic high school teaching; Rich taught English to sophomores and juniors for several years before going to graduate studies and focusing on Christianity and Judaism in antiquity.

At St. Edward’s University, in addition to teaching Rich has held leadership roles including department chair and associate dean in the School of Arts and Humanities. He has also been involved in the Southwest Commission on Religious Studies (chief executive, 2014-2018) and the Catholic Biblical Association (executive board, 2014-2016, 2018-present).

Rich joined the HCI Board of Governors in 2019 and has served as its chair since 2020. As interim executive director, he now looks forward to collaborating closely with fellow leaders across the Holy Cross family in our institutions of secondary and higher education. “Our common aim,” Rich said, “is to accomplish what Blessed Basil Moreau spoke of as ‘the successful cultivation of the Lord’s vineyard to which we have been called.’” Rich has a special interest in Basil Moreau the Scripture scholar and enjoys researching this aspect of the founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross. Ave Crux, Spes Unica!

 

Previous Executive Directors

Marco Clark, Ed.D. (2020 - 2022) 

Br. Joel Giallanza, C.S.C. (2011 - 2012, 2018 - 2020)

Br. Thomas Dziekan, C.S.C. (2017 - 2018)

Br. Donald Blauvelt, C.S.C (2012 - 2017)

Br. Stephen Walsh, C.S.C (2005 - 2011)

Meigs headshot

Meigs Turgeon

Assistant Director, The Holy Cross Institute 

Meigs Turgeon was born and raised in Dallas, TX, where he attended Highland Park High School. As a student at Highland Park, he developed a keen interest in philosophy, theology, and apologetics, feeling a strong call to pursue these academic interests in a Catholic setting. He enrolled at St. Edward’s University in August of 2012, where he majored in Religious and Theological Studies and minored in Psychology. He graduated in May of 2016.

Discerning a vocation to serve the Church, Meigs matriculated to Duke Divinity School in August of 2017 to pursue a Master of Divinity. As a student, he focused his attention on the interpretation of the Greek New Testament, early and medieval Church history, and the study of Catholic eschatology. As part of his formation, he received training in pastoral ministry, teaching, catechetics, and urban ministries. He graduated from Duke Divinity School in May of 2020. Following the completion of his Master of Divinity, Meigs returned to his hometown of Dallas to teach high school theology. He joined the Holy Cross Institute in August of 2021.

Meigs was first exposed to Holy Cross during his undergraduate years at St. Edward’s. Holy Cross helped him to fall in love with learning and inspired him to get involved in the work of education and the service of the Church. With Basil Moreau, he considers education to be an essential work of resurrection, and he wishes to help educators and students understand what it means to bear the title of Holy Cross. He brings zeal, vision, and a unique theological perspective to the Holy Cross Institute.

Meigs enjoys running, reading, and listening to live music. He is an avid traveler and loves immersing himself in the study of cultures, languages, and world religions. In addition to theology, he enjoys learning about history, psychology, and ethics. He is a devoted fan of J.R.R. Tolkien and loves all things Lord of the Rings. In his free time, Meigs can be found exploring the great cities of the United States or spending time with family and friends.

 

AJ Valverde HCI

AJ Valverde

Communications Manager, The Holy Cross Institute 

AJ Valverde graduated from St. Edward’s University in December 2020 with his B.A. in Communication with a focus in advertising and public relations. During his undergrad, he was involved in Campus Ministry - serving in many ways. One of his more impactful moments was the service break experience during spring break 2019, he volunteered at St. Malachy Catholic School in Chicago, IL. He spent a year abroad in Angers, France, a 30-minute train ride west of Le Mans, France (the birthplace of Holy Cross). During his last semester, he did an independent study on the effects of Holy Cross on campus back home in Austin, TX. His research included reading various Holy Cross texts, interviews with students that came from Holy Cross high schools, and a trip to Sanctuaire du Bienheureux Basile Moreau Eglise Notre-Dame de Sainte-Croix where he interviewed Fr. Paul Elie, C.S.C. 

He was introduced to Holy Cross by Br. Larry Atkinson C.S.C. who served as a mentor ever since he first stepped foot on campus freshman year. During his studies, he took a course with Br. Richard Daly C.S.C. titled Catholic Social Teaching, the course was pivotal, leading him to join various social justice-driven organizations. During his last semester of college, he served as Executive Director of Hilltoppers for Hilltoppers. H4H is a student philanthropy council that raises awareness for students gifting their time, talent, and treasure. 

His love for The Congregation of Holy Cross runs deep. In his first couple months with our office, he has launched a new social media channel, developed email campaigns, helped organize Convocation 2021, and more. AJ hopes to bring the Holy Cross Institute brand to an elevated level. His experience with social media, creative writing, and project management will set up the HCI for further success. 

In his free time, AJ enjoys traveling, playing tennis, camping, and time around friends and family. 

 

Holy Cross Institute Board of Governors

Lisa Kirkpatrick, Ph.D.

Vice President For Student Affairs
Title IX Coordinator
St. Edward's University, Austin, TX

Robert Nolte

Director of Business
Bishop McNamara High School
Forestville, MD        

Teresa Billings

PK - 7th Grade Principal
Holy Cross School, 
New Orleans, LA 

Brother Robert E. Lavelle, C.S.C. (Secretary)

Assistant Provincial,
C.S.C. Midwest Province;

Headmaster Emeritus,
Gilmour Academy, Gates Mills, OH

Terry Lee

Director of School Sponsorship
Congregation of Holy Cross, Moreau Province
Austin, TX

Brother Bob Livernois, C.S.C

Director of Spiritual Care and Mission Integration
Holy Cross Village, Notre Dame, IN

Deepak A. Patel

Entrepreneur

Trustee Chair Emeritus, 
Holy Trinity High School, Chicago, IL

Marianne Ward-Peradoza, Ph.D.

Provost
St. Edward's University
Austin, TX