The president of Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, Thomas E. Dillon, was killed in a car accident in Ireland on April 15 after having served as the Catholic college’s leader for 18 years. A funeral was expected to be held at the university’s chapel April 24.

According to published reports, Dillon was in Ireland attending a conference for the International Council of Universities of St. Thomas Aquinas in Limerick.

School officials decided unanimously earlier this week to appoint the college’s vice president for finance and administration, Peter L. DeLuca, as interim president.

In a statement April 20, Maria Grant, chairman of Thomas Acquinas College’s board of governors, said DeLuca is a founding member of the college, which was established in 1971. She said DeLuca is “already deeply involved in the daily running of the school. I have every confidence that he is ready and able to take immediate charge of the affairs of the college.”

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