Gilbert officials remember deceased university provost

• St. Xavier University Provost Paul DeVito died over the weekend
• Town officials noted that DeVito was crucial to opening Gilbert satellite campus
• The Gilbert campus opened in early August and will begin classes this fall

Saint Xavier University Provost Paul DeVito, who helped open the school’s new satellite campus in Gilbert, died unexpectedly over the weekend of Aug. 22-23, Gilbert officials said.

Town Manager Patrick Banger said at the Gilbert council meeting Thursday that DeVito was a huge reason the Chicago-based Catholic University was able to open a campus in Gilbert.

“He was just a pleasure to work with, a great man, a great educational leader for them,” Banger said. “We were all just devastated by that news and we send our deepest condolences to his family.”

Mayor John Lewis noted at the meeting that DeVito emceed the Gilbert campus’ grand opening event earlier this month.

“As a community we are working to make sure that the family knows of our love for Paul,” Lewis said.

Saint Xavier did not provide details on the cause of death, but noted President Christine Wiseman and others from the university attended Devito’s funeral service in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania on Friday.

“Let us continue to hold Paul, his family and each other in the embrace of shalom during these days of sadness, grief and hope,” the university said in a statement.

The four-story Saint Xavier campus formally opened in early August in Gilbert’s Heritage District. This is the first satellite campus for the higher-education institution.

Undergraduate and graduate business programs are set to begin at the Gilbert campus this fall. Nursing programs will begin in fall 2016.