February 12, 2026

November 1, 2023 6:26 PM

Interrogating Tim Collins, President of Walsh University

The Catholic Herald

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The Catholic Herald puts Tim Collins, President of Walsh University in Ohio, under interrogation.

What was your career break?

Serving as the seventh president of Walsh University is my third career. Opportunities disguised as challenges became “breaks” when I chose to try to overcome rather than retreat. I am also a retired US Air Force fighter pilot, having commanded operational combat forces around the world.

What’s your favourite Bible verse?

“Entrust your works to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3

Which churches mean a lot to you?

The US Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel, in Colorado; the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in Mexico City; and Our Lady Star of the Sea, in Cape May, New Jersey.

Who has been your greatest spiritual influence?

Fr Michael Scanlan TOR (1931-2017), a Catholic priest of the Franciscan Third Order Regular, was prophetic. He was gentle and inspirational, yet firm, and he had total trust in Christ.

Who is your favourite saint and pope?

St Dominic, the patron saint of astronomers and natural scien-tists, and Pope John Paul II.

How has your faith shaped your work and career?

The changing nature of my purpose shaped both my work and career. But what I have come to realise is that I also need to be open to where the spirit is moving me.

Where would you like to go on pilgrimage, and who would you bring as your companion?

My bride of 41 years was with me for three pilgrimages – in the Footsteps of St Francis, the Footsteps of St John Paul II, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I hope to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

What holy music do you keep returning to?

“Be Still” from Adoration from Carmel, by the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles.

Can you remember which book or film had the most influence on you when you were at college?

As a US Air Force Academy graduate, we didn’t watch movies. However, reading The Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle’s best-known work on ethics, became foundational to my adult life.

What is on your reading list?

The Moral Wisdom of the Church by Fr Robert J Spitzer.

The Catholic Herald puts Tim Collins, President of Walsh University in Ohio, under interrogation. Serving as the seventh president of Walsh University is my third career. Opportunities disguised as challenges became “breaks” when I chose to try to overcome rather than retreat. I am also a retired US Air Force fighter pilot, having commanded operational combat forces around  the world. “Entrust your works to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 The US Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel, in Colorado; the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in Mexico City; and Our Lady Star of the Sea, in Cape May, New Jersey. Fr Michael Scanlan TOR (1931-2017), a Catholic priest of the Franciscan Third Order Regular, was prophetic. He was gentle and inspirational, yet firm, and he had total trust in Christ. St Dominic, the patron saint of astronomers and natural scien-tists, and Pope John Paul II. The changing nature of my purpose shaped both my work and career. But what I have come to realise is that I also need to be open to where the spirit is moving me. My bride of 41 years was with me for three pilgrimages – in the Footsteps of St Francis, the Footsteps of St John Paul II, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I hope to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. “Be Still” from Adoration from Carmel, by the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles. As a US Air Force Academy graduate, we didn’t watch movies. However, reading The Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle’s best-known work on ethics, became foundational to my adult life. The Moral Wisdom of the Church by Fr Robert J Spitzer.

The Catholic Herald puts Tim Collins, President of Walsh University in Ohio, under interrogation.

What was your career break?

Serving as the seventh president of Walsh University is my third career. Opportunities disguised as challenges became “breaks” when I chose to try to overcome rather than retreat. I am also a retired US Air Force fighter pilot, having commanded operational combat forces around the world.

What’s your favourite Bible verse?

“Entrust your works to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3

Which churches mean a lot to you?

The US Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel, in Colorado; the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in Mexico City; and Our Lady Star of the Sea, in Cape May, New Jersey.

Who has been your greatest spiritual influence?

Fr Michael Scanlan TOR (1931-2017), a Catholic priest of the Franciscan Third Order Regular, was prophetic. He was gentle and inspirational, yet firm, and he had total trust in Christ.

Who is your favourite saint and pope?

St Dominic, the patron saint of astronomers and natural scien-tists, and Pope John Paul II.

How has your faith shaped your work and career?

The changing nature of my purpose shaped both my work and career. But what I have come to realise is that I also need to be open to where the spirit is moving me.

Where would you like to go on pilgrimage, and who would you bring as your companion?

My bride of 41 years was with me for three pilgrimages – in the Footsteps of St Francis, the Footsteps of St John Paul II, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I hope to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

What holy music do you keep returning to?

“Be Still” from Adoration from Carmel, by the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles.

Can you remember which book or film had the most influence on you when you were at college?

As a US Air Force Academy graduate, we didn’t watch movies. However, reading The Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle’s best-known work on ethics, became foundational to my adult life.

What is on your reading list?

The Moral Wisdom of the Church by Fr Robert J Spitzer.

The Catholic Herald puts Tim Collins, President of Walsh University in Ohio, under interrogation. Serving as the seventh president of Walsh University is my third career. Opportunities disguised as challenges became “breaks” when I chose to try to overcome rather than retreat. I am also a retired US Air Force fighter pilot, having commanded operational combat forces around  the world. “Entrust your works to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 The US Air Force Academy Cadet Chapel, in Colorado; the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in Mexico City; and Our Lady Star of the Sea, in Cape May, New Jersey. Fr Michael Scanlan TOR (1931-2017), a Catholic priest of the Franciscan Third Order Regular, was prophetic. He was gentle and inspirational, yet firm, and he had total trust in Christ. St Dominic, the patron saint of astronomers and natural scien-tists, and Pope John Paul II. The changing nature of my purpose shaped both my work and career. But what I have come to realise is that I also need to be open to where the spirit is moving me. My bride of 41 years was with me for three pilgrimages – in the Footsteps of St Francis, the Footsteps of St John Paul II, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I hope to go on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. “Be Still” from Adoration from Carmel, by the Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles. As a US Air Force Academy graduate, we didn’t watch movies. However, reading The Nicomachean Ethics, Aristotle’s best-known work on ethics, became foundational to my adult life. The Moral Wisdom of the Church by Fr Robert J Spitzer.

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