FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Sarah Brady Du Preez has been hired by St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish as its director of stewardship and development. St. Thomas is a Catholic parish with a registered student organization, Catholic Campus Ministry, at the University of Arkansas serving students, faculty and staff.

"This parish was built in 1959 and has not seen any renovation or restoration since then," said Father Jason Sharbaugh, pastor of St. Thomas. "With the population growth of the University, we are decades overdue in providing the much-needed space and accommodations for students to continue to grow in their faith while in school. We have been steadfast in following a process to ensure this need can be met and are pleased to have hired Sarah who has deep ties in the Fayetteville community, with the University and at St. Thomas."

Du Preez is a Fayetteville native and graduate of the University of Arkansas. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and minor in religious studies in 2013. During her time at the University, Sarah was actively involved in St. Thomas' ministry and had the vision early on that if the church were to be renovated, she wanted to be a part of it.

"When I was approached, I immediately shared that this was my 'dream job'," said Du Preez. "I think I took them by surprise, but since I was a student at the university, I knew I wanted to go into fund development as a profession and knew this was the project I wanted to help make happen. We are so lucky to have Father Jason who has the vision and passion to lead us on this journey along with a remarkable team of staff and volunteers."

Paul Cronan, faculty advisor for UA Catholic Campus Ministry and a deacon at St. Thomas shared, "To see Sarah as a UA student participating in our ministry at St. Thomas and now returning to help us pursue our vision is testament to the impact we can make on a student's life. We have been blessed abundantly by having her join our team."

Du Preez lives in Fayetteville with her husband, Lloyd, and son Brady. Prior to joining St. Thomas, Du Preez was the director of development at the Fayetteville Public Library Foundation and has been instrumental in its new addition being built. Du Preez was the annual giving manager at the Walton Arts Center before she joined the library.

Located at 603 N. Leverett Ave., St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish is a Catholic Christian community with a unique mission and commitment to the students, faculty, and staff of the University of Arkansas. The Parish prayerfully strives to be Christ-like by providing a source of guidance, spiritual growth and awareness of the Roman Catholic identity, a challenge to service and an enthusiastic spirit of worship.