• Archbishop Dolan is transferred to New York.
• Dolan is known for his humor and love of life.
• Many Catholics in Milwaukee are sad to see him go.
• Dolan will remain in Milwaukee until April 14.

Pope Benedict XVI appointed the archbishop of Milwaukee, Timothy M. Dolan, to the Archdiocese of New York on Monday.

Dolan will remain the archbishop of Milwaukee until his installation as the archbishop of New York on April 15, according to the Milwaukee Archdiocese's Web site. The installation service will take place in St. Patrick's Cathedral, the seat of the archbishop of New York.

In Milwaukee, many Catholics are sad to see the archbishop go.

"The appointment of Timothy Dolan as archbishop of New York is great news for the Big Apple but a tough loss for Catholics in Milwaukee and the community at large," said university president the Rev. Robert A. Wild. "The same qualities that we found so appealing — his leadership during difficult times, his down-to-earth approach and his Irish wit — should endear him to the people of New York. I, along with many others, will miss him and wish him the very best."

With a new person comes a new approach, said Ed Billia, deacon at St. Hugh of Lincoln in Huntington Station, N.Y.

"The Church is looking for new direction. I think this might be the change they're looking for," Billia said.

Joe Terrian, assistant dean of undergraduate programs in the College of Business Administration, has worked with Dolan on several occasions as a member of the Archdiocesan Finance Committee.

At every meeting they had, Dolan would go around and ask everyone if they would like more coffee, Terrian said. He was able to practice what he preached, Terrian said.

"In many ways he really believes in the service for others," Terrian said. "There's no doubt he loves life. That is seen from his happiness, and the smile and the enthusiasm when he goes into a room."

Dolan also made sure to personally call and wish Terrian a "Merry Christmas." The archbishop was always thinking of others, he said.

Julie Wolf, communications director for the Milwaukee Archdiocese, said, "He was just a gift to the archdiocese and he will be greatly missed."

Terrian said he thinks Dolan's transparency and openness, along with being a good role model for Catholics, might be why the pope picked Dolan to lead the New York metropolitan see.

During his time in Milwaukee, Dolan has had to deal with sex abuse lawsuits brought against priests, economic difficulties and a priest shortage, Terrian said.

"During these very turbulent times, he's been able to keep the archdiocese together," Terrian said.

Dolan's new position is a promotion in many ways. He will likely be named a cardinal, said William Thorn, chair of the department of journalism and expert on Catholicism.

Terrain remembers Dolan joking about it was only fitting that he would one day become a cardinal as he was a big St. Louis Cardinals fan.

After Dolan's installation in New York, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee becomes a vacant see. The College of Consultors then has eight days to elect a diocesan administrator, according to the archdiocese's Web site.

The diocesan administrator will be able to do everything the archbishop could do, but he cannot make policy changes, Thorn said.

Milwaukee will be put on the Vatican's list of sees needing a bishop, Thorn said. The vetting process then begins. A few possible candidates will be chosen and the Vatican will look into their backgrounds, Thorn said.

The pope makes the final decision after all the gathered information has been reviewed by the Vatican and its opinion has been given, Thorn said.