Past Deans of the College

The College of Arts and Letters is the oldest and largest college at the University of Notre Dame. It was founded in 1842—the same year as the University—and appointed its first dean during the 1919–20 academic year. Below is a listing of all the deans who have led the College.


John Mcgreevy

2008–2018

John T. McGreevy

Charles and Jill Fischer Provost; Francis A. McAnaney Professor of History
Ph.D., Stanford University, 1992; A.M., Stanford University, 1987; B.A., University of Notre Dame, 1986

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Mark Roche

1997–2008

Mark W. Roche

Rev. Edmund P. Joyce, C.S.C., Professor of German
Ph.D., Princeton University, 1984; M.A., Princeton University, 1982; M.A. Eberhard-Karls-Universität (Germany), 1980; B.A., Williams College, 1978


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Harold Attridge

1991–1997

Harold Attridge

Professor of Theology
Ph.D., Harvard University, 1975; M.A., Cambridge University, 1969; B.A., Boston College, 1967


Michael Loux

1983–1991

Michael J. Loux

Professor of Philosophy
Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1968; M.A., University of Chicago, 1965; B.A., College of St. Thomas, 1964


Robert Burns

1981–1983

Robert E. Burns

Professor of History
Ph.D., Harvard University, 1961; M.A., Harvard University, 1953; B.A., Northeastern University, 1951


Isabel Charles

1975–1981

Sr. Isabel Charles, O.P.

Associate Professor of English
Ph.D., University of Notre Dame, 1965; M.A., University of Notre Dame, 1960; B.A., Manhattan College, 1954

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Frederick Crosson

1969–1975

Frederick J. Crosson

John J. Cavanaugh Professor of Humanities, Program of Liberal Studies
Ph.D., University of Notre Dame, 1956; M.A., Catholic University of America, 1950; B.A., Catholic University of America, 1949


Charles Sheedy

1952–1968

Rev. Charles E. Sheedy, C.S.C.

Professor of Theology
S.T.D., Catholic University of America, 1946; S.T.L., Catholic University of America, 1945; LL.B., University of Pittsburgh, 1936; A.B., University of Notre Dame, 1933

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Francis Cavanaugh

1943–1951

Rev. Francis P. Cavanaugh, C.S.C.

Professor of Economics and Sociology
Ph.D., Catholic University of America, 1928; A.B., University of Notre Dame, 1923


Francis Boland

1940–1943

Rev. Francis J. Boland, C.S.C.

Professor of Politics
Special studies, Columbia University, 1934 and 1935; Ph.D., Catholic University of America, 1924; A.B., University of Notre Dame, 1918


Charles Miltner

1936–1940

Rev. Charles C. Miltner, C.S.C.

Professor of Philosophy
S.T.D., Laval University (Quebec), 1917; Ph.D., Gregorian University (Rome), 1915; Ph.B., University of Notre Dame, 1911


T. Bowyer Campbell

1935–1936

T. Bowyer Campbell

Professor of History
B.D., William and Mary College, 1908


Charles Miltner

1923–1935

Rev. Charles C. Miltner, C.S.C.

Professor of Philosophy
S.T.D., Laval University (Quebec), 1917; Ph.D., Gregorian University (Rome), 1915; Ph.B., University of Notre Dame, 1911


Joseph Carrico

1919–1923

Rev. Joseph Leonard Carrico, C.S.C.

Professor of English
Ph.D., Catholic University of America, 1908; Litt.B., University of Notre Dame, 1903; A.B., St. Mary’s College (Ky.), 1902