Towey has also taken an active hand in promoting what he calls "faith in action" by going on the annual service-learning trip to Calcutta, India. The trip involves dozens of students volunteering in homes founded by Mother Teresa. Other major initiatives brought about during his administration were the quadrupling of the Campus Ministry budget, initiation of Eucharistic adoration on campus and renovation of the College chapel to add 100 seats by this coming January.
Towey´s actions haven´t only been noticed on campus. He has also attracted national media exposure to St. Vincent with appearances on national news shows such as CBS 60 Minutes, ABC Good Morning America, and NBC Nightly News, among others. He drew a great national attention to the College by hosting President George W. Bush as commencement speaker in 2007 and with an international conference he convened to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Mother Teresa´s death.
All of these accomplishments have increased interest in the College and stimulated enrollment to never before seen levels at St. Vincent.
“The campus has never looked so beautiful, our Catholic witness continues to attract students in record numbers, and there is a strong leadership team in place to build on the momentum of recent years,” Towey commented as he looked ahead.
Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, OSB also offered his assessment of President Towey's tenure, saying, "There have been many great accomplishments and positive developments during his time at Saint Vincent, including the deepening of the College community’s commitment to our mission. He also has succeeded in moving the College from being a well-respected regional college to a nationally-recognized college of excellence. Thanks in no small part to his leadership, Saint Vincent has the faculty and staff to carry this momentum forward.”
Prior to his service at Saint Vincent, Mr. Towey served at the White House as director of the Office of Faith-based and Community Initiatives, as legal counsel to Mother Teresa and as a volunteer in her missions.