Pa. Supreme Court Appoints McCloskey to State Judicial Conduct Board

Judicial COnu The Rev. James P. McCloskey, C.S.Sp., has been appointed by the state’s Supreme Court to a four-year term on the Judicial Conduct Board of Pennsylvania. His term with the 12-member board begins Saturday, June 20.

The Judicial Conduct Board is an independent body of Pennsylvania citizens comprised of three judges, three lawyers and six “non-lawyer” elector members. It was created by a constitutional amendment in 1993 and is housed within the judicial branch of the Commonwealth’s government responsible for reviewing, investigating and, where warranted, prosecuting complaints of judicial misconduct.

“It’s truly an honor to have been appointed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to serve in this role on the Judicial Conduct Board,” said McCloskey, who serves as senior advisor to the president for strategic initiatives at Duquesne. “I look forward to working with the other members to support the board in its important mission to preserve the honor and integrity of Pennsylvania’s judiciary.”

Half of the Judicial Conduct Board’s members are appointed by the Pennsylvania governor and half by the state’s Supreme Court. Board members’ terms are unpaid and no more than half of the members can be from the same political party.

In his role at Duquesne, McCloskey works closely with President Ken Gormley on a wide range of projects and interacts with campus leaders, faculty and staff, as well as community leaders to identify new opportunities for alignment with the University’s institutional priorities.

A recognized leader and seasoned administrator, McCloskey also has served two separate times as president of Holy Ghost Preparatory School in Bensalem, Pa. He also was named Duquesne’s inaugural vice president for mission and identity in 2009; was vice president for University relations; and chaired the President’s Council for Diversity.

As a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit—Duquesne’s founders—McCloskey has served in various posts, including assistant superior general in Rome, Italy, from 2004-2009 and a member of the Congregation’s general council.

McCloskey was ordained in 1980. He has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts; an M.Div. in mission specialization from the Catholic Theological Union; a Th. M. in theology from the Weston School of Theology; an M.Ed. in educational administration from Boston College; and a Ph.D. in education from Fordham University. He also completed an advanced biblical study program with the University of Notre Dame in Jerusalem.