St. Thomas University president on leave amid investigation into policy violations

St. Thomas University President David Armstrong has been placed on leave as the university investigates claims he violated university policy, according to a statement from a university spokesperson.

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The private Catholic university in Miami Gardens has new “interim administrator,” Rev. Rafael Capo, current vice president for Mission and Ministry and dean of Theology, “managing all duties of the president,” according to the statement.

The statement did not specify which university policy Armstrong is alleged to have violated.

“David Armstrong is on leave from St. Thomas University while the university investigates allegations of conduct in violation of university policy. No further information is available at this time, pending any findings from the investigation. We will provide additional information as appropriate,” the statement reads.

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Armstrong has been with the university since 2018. Prior to his appointment, he was the longtime president Thomas More College in Kentucky. He replaced Monsignor Franklyn Casale, who retired after 24 years at the school.

Capo, Armstrong’s replacement, has been with the university since 2020. He holds a Licentiate in Systematic Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, a Doctorate in Practical Liturgical Theology from Barry University, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico.

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