Rev. James R. Flynn, O.S.A. assumed the role as the third president of Malvern Preparatory School on July 1, 2012.
In his role as President, Father Flynn is responsible for the direction of Malvern Prep’s spiritual program in the upper and middle schools, while also being active in the School’s counseling and fundraising efforts. Fr. Flynn has been a leader at Malvern Prep for more than 25 years, serving as Head of School from 2006 to 2012 and Assistant Head of School from 1997 to 2006.
Father Flynn grew up in Southwest Philadelphia, and from an early age, he dedicated himself to the pursuit of knowledge and of coming closer to God. He attended Most Blessed Sacrament Grammar School and traces his affiliation with the Augustinian Order to his high school days at Augustinian Academy on Staten Island, N.Y. He was received into the Augustinian novitiate of Our Mother of Good Counsel in New Hamburg, N.Y., in 1964 and professed simple vows as an Augustinian in September, 1965.
He earned a bachelor of arts in philosophy from Villanova University in 1969, a master of arts in theology from Washington Theological Union in 1973, a master of arts in the teaching of mathematics from Villanova in 1976, a master of arts in formative spirituality from Duquesne University in 1992 and a master of arts in educational leadership from Villanova in 1999.
Father Flynn has held a number of notable positions within the Order, both in the areas of education and administration. He began his teaching career at Malvern Prep, teaching mathematics and theology from 1973 to 1980. Father Flynn then served as the Prior of Our Mother of Good Counsel Novitiate in Lawrence, MA. and later taught mathematics and theology at Austin Preparatory School in Reading, MA.
In 1988, Father Flynn returned to teach at Malvern Prep. Since then he has also held the roles of Math Department Chair and Dean of the Middle School. From 1997 until his appointment as Head of School, Father Flynn was Assistant Head of School. He is also a member of the Malvern Prep Board of Trustees.
During his distinguished career at Malvern, Father Flynn has worked to uphold the Augustinian mission of the School. Through faith, experience and compassion, he has successfully helped Malvern to balance the needs of each individual with those of the many. While dedicated to the pursuit of Veritas (Truth), Father Flynn has made Unitas (Unity) a very real part of the Malvern education.
Father Flynn has been instrumental in bringing people together at Malvern, developing successful programs such as MECO (Malvernians Encountering Christ in Others), the senior retreat weekend that he, along with Fr. Terry Hyland, O.S.A., introduced in 1975.
In addition to his service to the Malvern community, Father Flynn has been a member of the Board of Trustees of Villanova University, serving as Secretary of the Board. He has also been a Trustee of St. Augustine Preparatory School in Richland, N.J.