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News and Stories

July 1, 2005

Father Jenkins becomes 17th president of Notre Dame

By Dennis Brown

Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., assumed the presidency of the University of Notre Dame today (July 1), the 17^th president in its 163-year history.

"Today I join an inter-generational line of 16 Holy Cross priests who have led the effort to realize Notre Dame founder Father Edward Sorin's bold dream of building a great university that is truly Catholic for this nation and the world," Father Jenkins said. "Notre Dame is so rich in history and accomplishment, but I firmly believe it is even richer in promise and potential.

"As I begin my work as this University's 17^th president, I ask for the prayers, support and assistance of every member of the Notre Dame family to advance its mission in the 21^st century.

"May we all be worthy heirs of this great enterprise."

Father Jenkins, 51, had served as president-elect since his election April 30, 2004, by the Board of Trustees to a five-year term. He will be formally inaugurated during ceremonies Sept. 22 and 23. He is just the third Notre Dame president in 53 years, following Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., who led the University for 35 years, from 1952 to 1987, and Rev. Edward A. Malloy, C.S.C., who served for the past 18 years.

Concurrent with assuming the presidency, Father Jenkins was promoted from associate to full professor of philosophy, based upon a recommendation by Provost Nathan O. Hatch, with the approval of the Board.

A member of Notre Dame's philosophy faculty since 1990, Father Jenkins had served from July 2000 until his election as president as a vice president and associate provost at the University.

Prior to his service in the provost's office, Father Jenkins had been religious superior of the Holy Cross priests and brothers at Notre Dame for three years. As religious superior, he was a Fellow and Trustee of the University, but he relinquished those posts to assume his duties in the provost's office.

Father Jenkins specializes in the areas of ancient philosophy, medieval philosophy and the philosophy of religion. He is the author of "Knowledge and Faith in Thomas Aquinas," published by Cambridge University Press in 1997.

Father Jenkins earned master's and doctoral degrees in philosophy from Oxford University in 1987 and 1989. He earned his master of divinity degree and licentiate in sacred theology from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, Calif., in 1988. Prior to entering the Congregation of Holy Cross, he earned bachelor's and master's degrees in philosophy from Notre Dame in 1976 and 1978, respectively.

Father Jenkins was ordained a priest in Notre Dame's Basilica of the Sacred Heart in 1983. He served as director of the Old College program for Notre Dame undergraduate candidates for the Congregation of Holy Cross from 1991 to 1993.

View the original press release at News and Information