President, Association of Jesuit College and Universities
Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters
2006
Citation:
As an educator, theologian, humanitarian and international traveler, you have been a strong advocate for Jesuit higher education throughout the world and have demonstrated your unwavering commitment to peace, justice and social responsibility. During the past year, you demonstrated your leadership and values in reaching out to students affected by Hurricane Katrina. As president of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU), you initiated and coordinated a rapid response by Jesuit Schools to admit displaced students from Loyola University New Orleans and other affected universities for the fall term. As a result, more than 1,600 students were able to continue their studies until they could return to their Gulf area school. Under your leadership since 1997, the AJCU has made great strides in developing positive public, private and ecumenical partnerships. Known for your congenial style and effective communication skills, you have successfully represented and positioned the Jesuit higher education community to the federal government, Catholic church officials and other higher education associations. Your experience in international relations is far-reaching. Since 1989, when six Jesuit priests were killed in El Salvador, you have traveled to the country many times as an official observer, peace negotiator and goodwill ambassador. Your efforts to create educational opportunities for Jesuit students worldwide have resulted in successful cooperative programs with universities in Vietnam, China and throughout Latin America. Your dedication to the advancement of academic quality and effective educational management has been evident throughout your career as you held positions of leadership at Georgetown University, Wheeling College, Xavier University and St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia. In addition, you've been actively involved in numerous professional, educational and civic organizations including serving as a board member of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, and the Vatican Observatory Foundation. In recognition of your strong sense of Catholic social responsibility and your lifetime contributions to Jesuit higher education, the University of Detroit Mercy is proud to present you with the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree. Commencement, University of Detroit Mercy, May 10, 2006.