Marc Vervenne
Encyclopedia
Marc Vervenne is a Belgian theologian.

From August 2005 till July 2009 he was the rector
Rector
The word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...

 of the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven
The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven is a Dutch-speaking university in Flanders, Belgium.It is located at the centre of the historic town of Leuven, and is a prominent part of the city, home to the university since 1425...

. In 2005, he won the elections for new rector in the third round on Tuesday 24 May 2005 by beating Rik Torfs
Rik Torfs
Henri Maria Dymphna André Laurent "Rik" Torfs is a Belgian academic, media personality, and Christian Democratic and Flemish party politician.- Life and career :...

 with 50,81% to 49,19%. Before becoming rector, he was vice-rector of the Human sciences group. On 3 December 2008 the university announced that he would not serve a second term. On August 1, 2009 Mark Waer
Mark Waer
Mark Waer is a Belgian physician, biomecial scientist, and the Rector of Katholieke Universiteit Leuven .-Biography:...

 became the new rector.

Early life

Born in Ieper, Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...

, Vervenne first went to the seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...

 to become a priest, but quit in 1973. He then started work in the construction industry as lorry driver. Later, he studied theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...

 in Leuven
Leuven
Leuven is the capital of the province of Flemish Brabant in the Flemish Region, Belgium...

 and in 1986 he received his PhD in Theology. He's a specialist of the Old Testament
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...

. He is visiting scholar at the universities of Lille
Lille
Lille is a city in northern France . It is the principal city of the Lille Métropole, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country behind those of Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Lille is situated on the Deûle River, near France's border with Belgium...

 (France) and Kinshasa
Kinshasa
Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The city is located on the Congo River....

(Congo).

Marc Vervenne is married to Christine De Roo and they have three children: Hannes (1978), Hilke (1980) and Bastiaan (1983).

External links

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