It is with great sadness that we announce that Father Owen J. Mullen, University Chaplin passed away in his home on Wednesday, October 19th, 2016. During two separate tenures at USD -- 1981-1989 and 2004-2016 -- Father Mullen served in many roles.

He is probably most well-known for his relationships with student-athletes -- as chaplain to the football, baseball, and men's basketball teams -- and with members of Greek Life, through his role as chapter chaplain and national president of Phi Kappa Theta Fraternity. This fraternity, with a mere seven members, was the only fraternity at USD on campus when Mullen first arrived at Alcalá Park in 1981. As a retired colonel in the Army, Mullen also had strong connections to ROTC students and student veterans.

On August 3, 2014, Father Owen J. Mullen became the 24th alumnus to be elected as Phi Kappa Theta's Fraternity President. Prior to his election to role of President, Father Mullen had served on the Board of Trustees since 2009. On May 4, 2014, he celebrated his 50th Anniversary as a priest with a Golden Jubilee Mass in Founders Chapel. Father Mullen was beloved by students, staff and faculty. His warmth and sense of humor left an indelible mark on anyone who knew him. As a revered and treasured member of USD, Father Mullen will be very missed by the entire university community.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 28th at The Immaculata Church. Funeral services will be preceded by a viewing at 12:00p.m. and the Rosary at 1:00 p.m. Father Mullen will be buried at the U.S. Military Academy (West Point) in New York.

Condolences and donations may be sent to University Ministry or University Athletics at their campus addresses.

For a story on Father Mullen written by Ryan Blystone, Click Here