USML Pontifical Faculty Welcomes Acting President
July 16, 2025
USML Pontifical Faculty Welcomes Acting President
Mundelein, IL – The University of Saint Mary of the Lake (USML) Pontifical Faculty has announced the appointment of Fr. Marek Duran, STD, as its acting President. Fr. Duran steps into this pivotal role, overseeing all ecclesiastical degrees and executing an integral focus of our mission in the Church, a core mission of the university.
Fr. Duran’s appointment is backed by a wealth of experience, having served extensively in teaching roles at both the seminary and the School of Parish Leadership and Evangelization (SPLE). He was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago in 2004 and served as an associate pastor at St. Mary Star of the Sea and Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Fr. Duran is an Associate Professor of Moral Theology at USML and received his STD from the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family in Rome. His extensive academic background and dedication to theological formation will guide the Pontifical Faculty in its continued pursuit of academic excellence and service to the Church. Fr. Duran is a certified spiritual director through the Institute for Priestly Formation in Omaha, a member of both the Society of Christian Ethics and the Academy of Catholic Theology.
Fr. Duran succeeds Fr. Brendan Lupton, STD, who provided exceptional leadership during a challenging period for the faculty. Fr. Lupton navigated the Pontifical Faculty through the disruptions of the global pandemic and a time of significant faculty turnover, a testament to his resilience and dedication.
Fr. Lupton’s foresight has proven crucial in making these advanced theological degrees more accessible to a broader student population, enhancing the reach and impact of USML’s mission. He is an Associate Professor of Dogmatic Theology at USML and was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago in 2005.
Fr. John Kartje, Rector/President of USML, expressed his gratitude for Fr. Lupton’s dedicated service and welcomed Fr. Duran to his new leadership role. “Please hold both Fr. Brendan and Fr. Marek in prayer during this time of transition,” Fr. Kartje requested of the USML Community, emphasizing the spiritual significance of this leadership change.
The Pontifical Faculty at USML, established by the Holy See, is authorized to grant ecclesiastical degrees including the Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (STB), Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL), and Doctorate in Sacred Theology (STD). These degrees, recognized globally within the Catholic Church, underscore the academic excellence of USML.
About USML
The University of Saint Mary of the Lake educates and forms priests, deacons, and lay leaders to serve the Church and its people. The campus is home to Mundelein Seminary and The School of Parish Leadership and Evangelization, a major seminary and school of theology for the Archdiocese of Chicago and beyond for over a century. To learn more about the University of Saint Mary of the Lake and the programs it offers, visit www.usml.edu.
