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Malvern Prep announces next head of school

The leader of an Augustinian prep school in Atlantic County, N.J., has been chosen as the next head of Malvern Preparatory School.

The leader of an Augustinian prep school in Atlantic County, N.J., has been chosen as the next head of Malvern Preparatory School.

The Rev. Donald F. Reilly, president and CEO of St. Augustine Preparatory School in Richland, will become the 14th head of the private Catholic boys' school on July 1, Malvern trustees announced Tuesday.

Reilly, 69, a graduate of Monsignor Bonner High School in Upper Darby, who earned his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, is in his fourth year on Malvern Prep's board. He will replace Christian Talbot, who announced this year that he would resign at the end of the 2016-17 term because of family-related issues.

Steve Cloetingh, chair of Malvern Prep's board, called Reilly a "perfect new leader."

"Three months ago, Malvern launched a highly consultative search process that identified the ideal qualities and experience of our next head of school, and Father Reilly possesses every one of the personal, leadership, and academic qualities identified," Cloetingh said in a statement.

Reilly said he looked forward "to continuing Malvern's exciting academic journey of innovation, and hope to nurture that journey with a continued commitment to the Augustinian values of truth, unity, and love."

Reilly, who has led St. Augustine Prep since 2011, said he was leaving with a heavy heart but was grateful for the friendship and warmth he had received.

Reilly has a graduate degree from Washington Theological Union and a doctorate in ministry from New York Theological Seminary.

As the prior provincial of the St. Thomas of Villanova Province of the Augustinian order from 2002 to 2010, Reilly oversaw 220 friars.

Malvern Prep has 648 students in grades six through 12.

martha.woodall@phillynews.com 215-854-2789 @marwooda