Antoine Garibaldi facts for kids

Antoine Michael Garibaldi is a respected leader in education. He is known as the president emeritus (which means he's a former president who still holds an honorary title) and a distinguished professor at the University of Detroit Mercy. He made history as the 25th president of this university in Detroit, Michigan. He was also the first "lay" president, meaning he wasn't a priest, and the first African-American president of the university. Dr. Garibaldi was also the first publicly recognized African-American president of any Jesuit university in the United States since 1879.

Early Life and Education

Dr. Garibaldi grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana. He went to St. Joan of Arc Grammar School. He also attended St. Augustine High School for a special eighth-grade program.

Becoming a Seminarian

In 1964, he joined Epiphany Apostolic College in Newburgh, New York. This was a Catholic seminary for the Josephite Fathers. He was a seminarian (someone studying to become a priest) for over eight years.

University Studies

Dr. Garibaldi earned his bachelor's degree in sociology from Howard University in Washington DC in 1973. He also studied philosophy. Later, in 1976, he received his PhD in Educational Psychology from the University of Minnesota. He was the third African-American to earn a doctorate from that program.

Career in Education

Dr. Garibaldi has had a long and important career in education. He started as an elementary school teacher in Washington, DC. He also served as a principal at the St. Paul Urban League Street Academy in Minnesota.

Leadership Roles

From 1982 to 1996, he worked at Xavier University of Louisiana. There, he was a professor and chairman of the Education Department. He also became the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Later, he was the first "lay" (non-priest) Vice President for Academic Affairs. In 1996, he became the first Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Howard University. A provost is a senior academic administrator.

University President

Dr. Garibaldi served as the 6th president of Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania. He held this position from 2001 to 2010. In June 2011, he was appointed the 25th president of the University of Detroit Mercy. He announced in August 2021 that he would become president emeritus. This change happened in July 2022.

Personal Life

Dr. Garibaldi is a Catholic. He was once a seminarian with the Josephites.