UDM welcomes Jesuit to Advancement office

University of Detroit Mercy has named Patrick Dorsey, S.J., to the position of director of development for University Special Projects. 

Dennis Carlesso, interim vice president for University Advancement, said those special projects will include University priorities that are not attached to a specific academic unit, including University Ministry, the Institute for Leadership & Service and other mission-based programming.

Since his ordination in 1996, Dorsey has worked at Marquette University, Loyola University of Chicago, and the University of San Francisco in campus ministry and advancement. He also provides a strong pastoral presence for those on campus as well as alumni.

While at Marquette, he worked in campus ministry and started chaplaincy programs in several schools, ROTC programs, women’s basketball, and a residence hall. He also organized service trips for students, which impacted their experience of the mission and identity of the university. Building on this experience, he moved to Loyola University Chicago, where he was director of Madonna Della Strada Chapel. His duties as director of the chapel continued for six years, after which he moved into university advancement. His work at the University of San Francisco was primarily with the major gift team in the Office of Advancement.

“These past experiences have helped prepare me to serve God through the people I meet on a daily basis,” Dorsey said. “From what I have read, University of Detroit Mercy is no exception to how God is revealed in the lives of students, faculty, staff and alumni. I look forward to the opportunity to meet you.”