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AJCU President Celebrates 10th Anniversary
Washington, DC - March 30, 2007 - Last month, Jesuit college and university presidents, leaders of higher education associations in Washington, DC, family and friends, honored Rev. Charles Currie, S.J., president of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU), for his 10 years of service as president of the AJCU.
Appointed to the AJCU presidency in August of 1997, Fr. Currie has been recognized as a leader in higher education, internationalization efforts in Jesuit higher education, service learning and education for justice, Jesuit-lay partnerships, science and theology and the development of the Jesuit distance education network, JesuitNET. Active throughout his career in various professional, educational, and civic organizations at the local, regional and national levels, he has served on numerous of boards of trustees, and holds six honorary degrees.
Fr. Currie served as president of both Wheeling College (now Wheeling Jesuit University) from 1972-1982 and Xavier University from 1982-1986, directed Georgetown University's Bicentennial celebration, served as a physical chemistry faculty member at Georgetown, and as Rector of St. Joseph's University before arriving at AJCU.
Rev. Joseph McShane, S.J., president of Fordham University, who served as the master of ceremonies at the anniversary celebration, provided the opening remarks for the event and offered a few thoughts on Fr. Currie's successes as the president of AJCU. "In the course of his ten years as the president of AJCU, Fr. Currie has served the Association with both grace and wisdom. As a result, he has enhanced the standing of the Association in the higher education community in the United States."
Asked to speak on behalf of the AJCU Board, Rev. Michael Garanzini, S.J., president of Loyola University Chicago and chair of the AJCU Board said, "The presidents of the AJCU schools felt it was a privilege to be able to honor Charlie. He's been an extraordinary president, conscientious, enthusiastic, and innovative. We wanted to thank him for his many accomplishments."
"Over the past ten years -- to name just a few things -- he has recruited and cultivated a talented and energetic staff," continued Garanzini. "He has reached out to numerous organizations in the higher education arena and, by doing so, enhanced the reputation and clout of our Jesuit system. And, he's become a powerful force in the political and legislative area at the national level. Each school -- no matter its size -- has directly benefited by the work of Charlie and his staff. It is nice to be able to thank someone who is at the top of his game."
In a show of gratitude for Fr. Currie's work in securing federal aid for America's college students, Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Congressman James McGovern (D-MA), who could not be in attendance because of the conflicting schedules, provided pre-recorded video messages for Fr. Currie, which were shown during the celebration.
"For years on our education committee in the Senate, I have relied on Fr. Currie's wise counsel and insights," said Sen. Kennedy, referring to Fr. Currie's work in making higher education more accessible to students through JesuitNET, the Jesuit Distance Education Network. "He is an excellent leader for your institutions and an indispensable ally in the ongoing effort to make college accessible and affordable for every student, regardless of their income."
In Rep. Jim McGovern's video message to Fr. Currie, he made mention of his travels to El Salvador with Fr. Currie, following the assassination of the Jesuit priests in El Salvador in 1989. Fr. Currie was named special assistant to the President of Georgetown to coordinate Georgetown's response to this tragedy and traveled to El Salvador many times to observe the situation first hand and participated in the extensive Congressional response.
"First let me say, you're the best," Rep. Jim McGovern began. "I've enjoyed working with you on issues ranging from human rights to education, and I've been very blessed to have you as a friend."
In his concluding remarks, McGovern stated, "Charlie's leadership at the AJCU is incredible. There is no stronger advocate for students in making certain that higher education is made available to all."
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