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Boston College Chancellor J. Donald Monan, S.J., who as president of Boston College from 1972 until 1996 transformed the University from a financially-struggling, largely commuter school into one of the nation’s leading academic institutions, will receive the New England Province of Jesuits' Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam Award (AMDG) at the 11th annual Jesuit Gala on Tuesday, April 12, at the Marriott Copley Place in Boston.
The Province’s AMDG award honors those who selflessly give of themselves for the greater glory of God.
Fr. Monan’s presidency – the longest in Boston College history – was marked by dramatic growth in the University’s academic reputation; significant modernization and expansion of BC’s physical plant; careful attention to the University’s historic Jesuit and Catholic traditions, and substantial increases in student enrollment, quality and selectivity.
Throughout his priesthood, Fr. Monan has championed a host of educational, civic and human rights causes. Among these, he chaired a Visiting Committee on Management in Courts at the request of the Chief Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court; has served as chair or board member of numerous civic, charitable and educational endeavors; and was instrumental in securing justice in the case of the murders of Jesuit priest-educators in El Salvador in 1989.
In addition to Fr. Monan, Rev. Aloysius P. Kelley, president of Fairfield University from 1979-2004 and Rev. John E. Brooks, S.J., president of the College of the Holy Cross from 1970-1994, will be honored at this year’s Jesuit Gala. Together, the three AMDG Award winners have served the Society of Jesus as “outstanding educational leaders” for 75 years.
The annual Jesuit Gala raises funds to support the formation and care of Jesuits and the ministries and apostolic works of the Province.
The New England Province of the Society of Jesus consists of more than 300 Jesuits serving the Church in educational, pastoral and spiritual ministries throughout the six New England states.