Br. Keith Warner named president of Franciscan School of Theology
Author: Kerting Baldwin, Ed.D., APR
Date Published: March 05, 2026
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(San Diego, CA) Throughout the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Br. Keith Warner, OFM, is known as the director of Renewal/Ongoing Formation, but also, a strong supporter of the Franciscan intellectual tradition.
He was a driving force behind the province’s first Franciscan Synod, which culminated in a national synodal gathering in Kansas City in 2025 and led to eight major initiatives adopted by the Provincial Minister and the Provincial Council. This experience of synodal discernment was formative, for it further inspired him to rededicate himself to sharing the ranciscan charism.
Beginning this July, Br. Keith reaches another significant milestone as he assumes leadership of the Franciscan School of Theology (FST) at the University of San Diego as its new president. He succeeds Fr. Garrett Galvin, OFM, who served as president since 2018.
“Fr. Garrett Galvin has done an outstanding job at putting the university on a firm foundation, and I want to see it continue to grow, fulfill its mission of spreading our charism and the Gospel of Jesus Christ through our programs and our outreach,” said Br. Keith.
“FST has been a source of inspiration and wisdom for me as long as I’ve been a friar, more than 30 years, and I really believe that our Franciscan intellectual theological tradition is an essential part of fostering the renewal of the Franciscan presence here in the United States,” he added.
Future initiatives for FST
As Br. Keith prepares for this transition, he has already identified several priorities for FST, beginning with a vision of FST as a center for formation and synodal leadership in the Catholic Church. He sees great opportunity to deepen partnerships and extend FST’s global reach through its collaboration with the University of San Diego and its world-class digital learning program. In addition, he envisions FST becoming a hub for forming and supporting formators who are called to share the Franciscan charism in diverse contexts.
“We have such a wonderful gift in the Church and in our charism,” said Br. Keith. "Throughout our synodal process in the province, indeed the Order worldwide, there was a clear recognition of the need to do a better job preparing people to share our charism beyond the friars with our entire Franciscan family and with the Church in the world.”
From student to president
Br. Keith’s relationship with FST began as a student 30 years ago and has deepened over the years through service on its board and, since 2022, as a member of the faculty. He has led educational initiatives that strengthen the Franciscan identity of the school and advance Pope Francis’s vision for the Church.
Prior to joining FST’s faculty, Br. Keith taught at Santa Clara University for 20 years, including 12 years as Chief Learning Officer for the Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship. He is also coauthor, with Sr. Ilia Delio, OSF, and Pamela Wood, of “Care for Creation: A Franciscan Spirituality of the Earth.” Br. Keith holds a master’s degree in spirituality from the Franciscan School of Theology and a Ph.D. in environmental studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz.
In this video, Br. Keith shares his vision for FST.