Joseph M. McShane

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The Rev. Joseph M. McShane, S.J., (b. 19 June 1949) is a Jesuit priest, an American theologian and the current President of Fordham University. He succeeded Father Joseph A. O'Hare, S.J. as the University President in 2003. Before becoming President of Fordham University, Father McShane had previously served as the President of the University of Scranton and Dean of Fordham College at Rose Hill.

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[edit] Background

Father McShane grew up in New York City and graduated from Regis High School. He earned his bachelor's degree from Boston College and went on to pursue a Master's degree from the same institution in 1972. In 1977 McShane was ordained as a Jesuit priest, after receiving his M.Div and S.T.M. degrees from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley. In 1981, Father McShane received his PhD in the history of Christianity from the University of Chicago.

[edit] Career In Academia

From 1982 to 1992 Father McShane served as a professor of religious studies and eventually chair of religious studies at Le Moyne College. In 1992 he was made Dean of Fordham College at Rose Hill, the largest undergraduate college of Fordham University, where he served until 1998. That year, Father McShane left Fordham to become the president of the University of Scranton, a Jesuit institution. In 2003 Father McShane was instituted as the 32nd President of Fordham University, the post he currently holds.

Currently, Father McShane is a trustee of Fordham University ex-officio, St. Joseph's Preparatory School in Philadelphia, Loyola University New Orleans, and the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania. McShane also serves on the board of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities.

[edit] Plans for Fordham University

In 2004 Father McShane unveiled a plan to enhance the reputation and the quality of education at Fordham University. The long-term goal of the University, according to McShane's plan, is to make Fordham the country's preeminent Catholic institution of higher learning. Father McShane believes that Fordham's location within New York City and its identity as a Jesuit institution are central to this vision. McShane has identified four key components of this strategic plan, as stated in a University press release:

  • to advance the culture of scholarship, teaching, research and service for faculty by investing in endowed chairs and faculty development to enhance recruitment and retention and secure world-class stature for University professors
  • to develop graduate and professional programs that can win distinctive excellence, national prominence and external support, as well as enhance the graduate and professional learning environment
  • to develop and sustain an undergraduate culture of learning and living that will be recognized for distinctive excellence and achieve national prominence
  • to generate and sustain the funding necessary to support investments in physical resources and the University endowment, and to fuel growth in annual giving.

Part of the plan is entitled Toward 2016, a reference toward the 175th anniversary of the founding of Fordham University. This 10-year phase was approved in 2005, and seeks to raise Fordham to prominence among American Catholic universities by 2016.

Additionally, Father McShane has unveiled an ambitious plan for the Lincoln Center Campus of Fordham University. The plan involves razing several buildings on the seven-acre Lincoln Center campus to make room for a new School of Law, an expanded library, student housing, a student activities center, and parking facilities. The plan will add an additional 1,500,000 square feet (139,000 m²) of space to the campus. The project requires approval from the City of New York before it can begin, and thus far city officials have received the project favorably.

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Preceded by
Joseph A. O'Hare S.J.		 President of Fordham University
2003 - Present		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by
Joesph A. Panuska S.J.		 President of the University of Scranton
1998-2003		 Succeeded by
Scott R. Pilarz, S.J.