A smiling but teary-eyed Monsignor Vince Krische recounted memories in his office last Thursday at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center while he prepared himself to say goodbye to friends and 28 years of service at the center.

Krische, better known as Father Vince by students, will leave St. Lawrence on July 15 to become a pastor at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Prairie Village.

Krische is leaving as part of a succession plan by the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kan.

“I wish I could stay a little bit longer,” Krische said. “But they say it’s time for someone new. I’m not going to be around forever.”

Krische moved from Topeka to Lawrence in 1977 to help the center accommodate the increasing number of Catholic students. An estimated 5,000 Catholics attended the University of Kansas in 1977, according to the center’s Web site.

Krische was the main supporter and promoter for the new center, which is north of Daisy Hill, and the key fundraiser as well.

“He is very much a part of St. Lawrence,” said Justin West, development officer at St. Lawrence. “He’s really helped the center grow.”

Father Vincent Krische became monsignor Vincent Krische on March 3 when he was bestowed the honorable ranking by the late Pope John Paul II. Krische has served as the director of the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center since 1977. He will be formally installed as monsignor tomorrow.

Before his arrival, the center was financially dependent on the Archdiocese. By enlisting support of the community, Krische made the center thrive solely from donations. Since the dedication in 1986, Krische has also assisted with and witnessed the addition of a chapel and a parking lot.

West said Krische was always looking for a way to improve the center. West said he remembered Krische standing up during a staff meeting and asking everyone to wipe down the counter and sink every time they used the rest room.

“He’s a perfectionist,” West said.

Krische will perform his last baptism at the center for West’s newborn daughter, Felicity Noel, on July 9th, West said.

Krische’s replacement is Reverend Steve Beseau. Beseau, 39, is a KU alumnus and former board member for the center. Krische said he remembers Beseau as a student and believes the center will grow with Beseau as the new director.

“If they said do you want to handpick your successor,” Krische said. “I would have picked him.”

Beseau will become the new director on March 1, after finishing his doctorate in sacred theology. Beseau is currently studying in Rome but will return briefly to Kansas on July 7 in between terms. Mike Scherschligt, director of ministry, will be the interim director.