The Reverend Joseph D. Calderone, O.S.A.

Fr. Calderone serves as chaplain and counselor for the Villanova University School of Law and is the former associate director of campus ministry at Villanova. He is a member of the Order of St. Augustine, the founding order of Merrimack College. Fr. Calderone has served on the Board of Trustees of Merrimack College since 2005.

Fr. Calderone retired as Captain of the U.S. Navy Reserve Chaplain after 21 years, six of those with the 4th Marine Air Wing. He served five years at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. and eight years with the Loyola University Medical Center as chaplain. Also an educator, Fr. Calderone was an adjunct professor at DePaul University, Neumann College, Rollins College, and St. Leo College. He served as the former director of campus ministry and dormitory counselor at Merrimack College. He was director of campus ministry for the Diocese of Orlando, Florida and was director of continuing education for the Washington Theological Union, as well as an educator/chaplain at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, Illinois.  He is currently a board member of both Medifast/Jason Pharmaceuticals and Augustinian Press, Inc.

Fr. Calderone served as Merrimack College’s Interim President from January through July, 2008.  Under his leadership the College was able to stabilize the budget for the 08-09 academic year and begin multiple year budgeting.  In addition, Father Calderone improved communication between trustees, administration, staff and faculty through the establishment of collaborative committees and “coffee hours” with faculty groups.  A monthly Office of the President newsletter was created and kept the college community apprised of matters affecting the College.  He led the re-founding of the college’s Augustinian and Catholic roots through campus-wide liturgical celebrations.  He also added three Augustinians to the campus (one in administration; one in Religious and Theological Studies, and one in campus ministry). He reached out to alumni and worked closely with the Office of Institutional Advancement.  During his tenure the college brought in its highest number of first year students in over 20 years as well as 90 transfer students.

Fr. Calderone holds a Doctorate of Education in Higher Educational Administration from Northeastern University, a C.A.G.S. in leadership and supervision in higher education from Northeastern University, and an M.A. in theology from Washington Theological Union. He also has an M.A. in guidance and counseling and a B.A. in social sciences from Villanova University.