DIOCESAN CAMPUS MINISTRY

This is your headquarters for events, communications and news on the Diocese of Des Moines Campus Ministry Programs.

Since the 1940's there has been a Roman Catholic ministry presence on the Drake University Campus. In 1969 Bishop Maurice Dingman canonically established the Drake Newman Community as a parish with a specific ministry focus to Drake University students, faculty and staff.

In 2009, Bishop Richard Pates expanded the role of Drake Newman Center and created the diocesan office of campus ministry. Fr. Joel McNeil was appointed pastor of St. Catherine's and diocesan director of campus ministry.  Fr. Mark Owusu took over as Director in 2012. Rev. Protas Okwalo, S.J. joined as Administrator in Fall of 2019.

Rev. Protas Okwalo has oversight and is in the process of developing supportive ministry teams. These teams will minister and guide Catholic Campus Ministry at Grand View University, Graceland College, Simpson College, Mercy College of Health Sciences and Des Moines University, Southwest Iowa Community College, DMACC and Iowa Western Community College. It is the diocese’s goal to continue the expansion of campus ministry to all Catholic students in the diocese, community colleges and technical schools.

Fr. Glen Wilwerding

Iowa Western Catholic Student Group

Contact:

glen_wilwerding@hotmail.com

Iowa Western Community College

bo bonner

Bo Bonner

Fr Chris Fontanini

Rev Chris Fontanini

Director of Campus Ministry

Contact:

frrockyf@gmail.com

Simpson College

becca_simpson_college

Becca Schmidt

Catholic Student Organization Intern

Contact:

515-961-1610

rebecca.schmidt@my.simpson.edu

Simpson College

timothy ledna

Timothy Ledna

Catholic Campus Ministries Contact

Contact:

641-784-5382

tledna1@graceland.edu

Graceland University

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David Robinson Scholarship

Annually, the David Robinson scholarship will be up to $5,000 and for the purposes of paying the student’s educational expenses.

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