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Press releases

Press releases

AJCU Announces 2013 Commencement Speakers for Jesuit Colleges and Universities
Monday, May 20, 2013
It's that time of year again! Check out the list of speakers and dates for the 2013 commencement ceremonies at the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States.


Registration Open for AJCU Conference on Multicultural Affairs at Georgetown University
Monday, May 13, 2013
Visit the conference website to register and learn more about the CMA conference on June 12-14.


AJCU and Jesuit Institutions Featured in Earth Day Video
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
In honor of Earth Day 2013, the Ignatian News Network put together a great video on Catholic eco-justice and sustainability programs across the country.


Winter / Spring 2013 Connections Now Online
Monday, April 22, 2013
The winter / spring issue features great reflections by Jesuit college and university administrators on immersion programs, as well as innovative research being conducted on Jesuit campuses.


I Make A Difference: National Jesuit Service – Men and Women For and With Others
Wednesday, April 03, 2013
This spring, alumni of the 28 U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities are engaging in community service projects across the country to live out their shared Jesuit mission of being men and women for others.


New Editor Selected for Conversations on Jesuit Higher Education
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
The National Seminar for Jesuit Higher Education has announced that the new editor of Conversations on Jesuit Higher Education will be Fr. Ed Schmidt SJ of the Chicago-Detroit Jesuit province.


AJCU Announces Rev. Michael J. Sheeran, SJ as President
Thursday, March 21, 2013
The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) announced today that Rev. Michael J. Sheeran, SJ will begin his tenure as president on April 1st.


Statements on Pope Francis' Election from Presidents of AJCU and Jesuit Institutions
Thursday, March 14, 2013
On Wednesday, March 13th, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio was elected the first Jesuit Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. The presidents of AJCU and the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities have issued statements on this historic election.


Media Coverage on Pope Francis and Papal Conclave from AJCU and Jesuit Colleges and Universities
Thursday, March 14, 2013
The president and president-elect of AJCU, as well as presidents, faculty, staff and students from the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States, have been featured in many newscasts, articles and interviews to discuss Pope Francis over the past few days.


AJCU President's Statement on Election of First Jesuit Pope
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
It has been a truly historic day for the Society of Jesus as we learned that our brother, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was selected to lead the Catholic Church as Pope Francis.


AJCU Congressional Breakfast Celebrates Jesuit Higher Education
Monday, March 04, 2013
WASHINGTON, DC - On Wednesday, February 27th, the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) hosted a breakfast for Members of Congress at the U.S. Capitol Visitor's Center. Seventeen Members of Congress, many of whom are alumni of Jesuit colleges and universities, were in attendance, along with nearly twenty Congressional staff.


New AJCU Website Features “I am Jesuit educated” Campaign
Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Site also houses a repository that provides resources on Jesuit educational mission

Washington, DC – Today, the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) unveiled a new website, www.ajcunet.edu, with enhanced features and functionality that will help support the work of U.S. Jesuit institutions. One of the new elements of the site is an “I am Jesuit educated” campaign, featuring alumni/ae from the 28 U.S. Jesuit institutions.



Pope Benedict XVI Announces Resignation
Monday, February 11, 2013
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Saying he no longer has the strength to exercise ministry over the universal church, Pope Benedict XVI announced Feb. 11 that he would be resigning at the end of the month after an eight-year pontificate.


Jesuit College and University Alumni/ae in the Obama Administration and 113th U.S. Congress
Friday, January 04, 2013
WASHINGTON, DC – The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) has announced that nearly ten percent of the 113th U.S. Congress are Jesuit college and university alumni/ae. Among the 535 Members of this Congress, 52 of them are alumni/ae of Jesuit institutions: 11 in the Senate and 41 in the House of Representatives.


Key Poll Findings from CEF/FEI Poll on Education Funding
Friday, December 07, 2012
Between December 1-3, 2012, YouGov conducted a poll online with a representative group of 1,067 adults nationwide on education funding issues for the Committee for Education Funding (CEF) and the Foundation for Education Investment (FEI). AJCU's Vice President for Federal Relations Cyndy Littlefield serves as chair of FEI. These are the key findings from the CEF/FEI poll.


Jesuit College and University Students to Attend National Social Justice Conference
Friday, November 16, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC – Over 400 students from Jesuit college and universities across the United States will gather in Washington, DC, this weekend, November 16-18, for the 15th Annual Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice (IFTJ). The Teach-In, which is sponsored by the Ignatian Solidarity Network (ISN), is an opportunity for those connected with Jesuit institutions and the larger Church to come together in the context of social justice to learn, network, reflect and act for justice.


Jesuit Colleges and Universities Assist Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts
Friday, November 09, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC – Over the past two weeks, Jesuit colleges and universities across the country have led relief efforts and offered support to victims of Hurricane Sandy, which recently devastated the mid-Atlantic region of the East Coast. Three AJCU institutions were among those affected by the hurricane: Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT; Fordham University, with campuses in Bronx and Manhattan, NY; and, Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City, NJ.


AJCU Announces Transition for Leadership Seminar Director
Friday, October 19, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC – The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) has announced the resignation of Sr. Maureen Fay, OP as Director of the AJCU Seminar on Higher Education Leadership. Dr. Stephanie Russell, Vice President for Mission and Ministry at Marquette University, has accepted the directorship, while continuing to serve in her current role at Marquette.


Regis University Inaugurating New President
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
The Rev. John P. Fitzgibbons was inaugurated Tuesday as the 24th president of Regis University, and in his address he challenged his new school to be a leader and representative of people throughout the world. Speaking before an audience of several hundred that included Denver Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila, Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock.


Reflections from a Fordham Alum on the Cardinal and Colbert
Friday, September 21, 2012
Last Friday on September 14, I had the privilege of returning to my alma mater, Fordham University, to hear Fr. Jim Martin, SJ moderate a conversation on humor and faith with TV host Stephen Colbert and Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York. While much has already been written on this incredible event (which, according to Fr. Martin, was more difficult to coordinate than Vatican II!), I share my reflections as a Fordham alum who was never more proud to be a “Ram” and “woman for others” than I was that night.


Jesuit Colleges and Universities Celebrate Constitution Day
Monday, September 17, 2012
On Monday, September 17th, Jesuit colleges and universities across the United States hosted a variety of events to commemorate Constitution Day. The U.S. Congress approved the declaration of Constitution Day in 2005 in response to legislative efforts by the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) to formally recognize the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787.


Jesuit Institutions Among America’s Best in U.S. News & World Report 2013 Rankings
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Jesuit institutions are among America's "Best Colleges," according to the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings for 2013. All 27 Jesuit research and master's colleges and universities were recognized, and the College of the Holy Cross, the only exclusively undergraduate Jesuit institution in the United States, was listed among the "Best Liberal Arts Colleges.”


Rev. John Fitzgibbons, SJ Assumes Presidency of Regis University...
Friday, June 01, 2012
(DENVER) – Colorado’s only Jesuit Catholic university welcomed a new leader June 1, 2012 as Father John P. Fitzgibbons, S.J. assumed duties as the 24th president of Regis University. He succeeds retiring University president Father Michael Sheeran, S.J., who had served as president since 1993. The Regis University Board of Trustees announced Father Sheeran’s retirement and Father Fitzgibbons selection in summer of 2011.


AJCU Federal Relations Director Joins Connecticut Congresswoman for “Tele-Town Hall” on Higher Education
Friday, May 18, 2012
WASHINGTON, D.C. - On May 15, AJCU Director of Federal Relations, Cynthia Littlefield, joined Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Ranking Member, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, H&HS and Education, for a “Tele-Town Hall” on Higher Education that was sponsored by the Congresswoman’s office. Over 1,000 of DeLauro’s constituents from Connecticut called in for the over-the-phone session that served as a forum for dialogue on key higher education issues.


AJCU Announces 2012 Commencement Speakers for Jesuit Colleges and Universities
Friday, May 04, 2012
It's that time of year again! The following is a list of speakers and dates for the 2012 commencement ceremonies at the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States*:


University of Detroit Mercy recently inaugurated Dr. Antoine M. Garibaldi as President
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
DETROIT -- In a ceremony filled with tradition harkening back to the year of the University’s founding in 1877, Antoine M. Garibaldi, Ph.D. was inaugurated as the 25th president of University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) on Friday, April 13 in Calihan Hall on the McNichols Campus. Delegates from more than 65 colleges and universities around the country, civic officials, business leaders, faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends were on campus to mark the special occasion as he was formally installed as president


Jesuit University Teams Compete in 2012 NCAA Tournament
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC - This week, eight Jesuit men's basketball teams (Creighton University, Georgetown University, Gonzaga University, Loyola University Maryland, Marquette University, Saint Louis University, University of Detroit Mercy and Xavier University) and three Jesuit women's basketball teams (Creighton University, Georgetown University and Gonzaga University) will compete in the NCAA Division I tournament.


22 Jesuit Colleges and Universities Named to President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC - Twenty-two Jesuit colleges and universities have been named to the 2012 U.S. President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. One Jesuit institution, Seattle University, was named a presidential awardee; one Jesuit institution, Loyola University Chicago, was named an honor roll finalist; and another Jesuit institution, Regis University, was named to the honor roll with distinction. Nineteen Jesuit institutions were named to the honor roll.


Former AJCU President and Boston College President Recognized by the White House as “Champion of Change.”
Thursday, January 26, 2012
WASHINGTON, DC -- The former president of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU), Rev. Charles Currie, SJ, and Boston College President Rev. William P. Leahy, SJ, have been recognized as "Champions of Change" by the Obama Administration for their work in Catholic higher education. Frs. Currie and Leahy were honored with the recognition, which identifies leaders who embody the ideals of ‘Innovating, Educating, and Building,' at the White House on January 25.


Jesuit Institutions Lead Effort to Save Federal Student Aid
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC -- Jesuit colleges and universities are among the top institutions in the country leading an effort, sponsored by the Student Aid Alliance, to save federal student aid from being cut in the negotiation process to reduce the budget deficit.


AJCU Hosts 14th Annual Federal Relations Conference
Friday, October 07, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC - On Thursday, October 6th, the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities hosted the 14th annual Federal Relations Conference at the U.S. Capitol Visitor's Center in Washington, DC. Representatives from the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities attended the conference, which was organized by AJCU Director of Federal Relations Cyndy Littlefield.


Jesuit Colleges and Universities Among America’s Best in U.S. News & World Report Rankings
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC - Jesuit institutions are among America's "Best Colleges," according to the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings for 2012. All 27 research and master's universities were recognized, and the College of the Holy Cross, the only exclusively undergraduate Jesuit institution in the United States, was listed among the "Best Liberal Arts Colleges.”


Jesuit Colleges and Universities Commemorate 10th Anniversary of September 11th Attacks
Friday, September 09, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC - This weekend, Jesuit colleges and universities across the United States are commemorating the tenth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, DC on September 11, 2001. From campus prayer services to lectures and symposia, Jesuit campuses will honor the memory of those who lost their lives in a variety of ways:


AJCU Welcomes Rev. Gregory Lucey, S.J. as New President
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC - Rev. Gregory F. Lucey, S.J. began his tenure as the president of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) on July 1st. He succeeds Rev. Charles L. Currie, S.J., who served as president from 1997 to 2011.


AJCU Announces 2011 Commencement Speakers for Jesuit Colleges and Universities
Friday, May 20, 2011
It's that time of year again! The following is a list of speakers for the 2011 commencement ceremonies of all 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States:


22 Jesuit Colleges and Universities Named to President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll
Friday, May 13, 2011
Twenty two Jesuit colleges and universities have been named to the 2010 United States President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. Over 600 colleges and universities in the United States, Puerto Rico and Guam were also named to the list, which is comprised of 641 institutions in total.


Le Moyne College President Joins U.S. Representatives to Publicly Oppose Cuts to Federal Student Aid
Friday, April 08, 2011
Washington, DC -- On Thursday, April 7, Dr. Fred Pestello, president of Le Moyne College, one of the 28 Jesuit colleges in the United States, joined Representatives Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), Ranking Member on the Labor, Education, Health, and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, and George Miller (CA-7), Ranking Member on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, to speak out against the proposed cuts to education funding by Republicans.


AJCU President Charles L. Currie, SJ Receives 2011 CHEA Award
Friday, February 04, 2011
(Washington, DC) – Reverend Charles L. Currie, S.J., President of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) was the recipient of a special award on January 26 from The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) at CHEA's annual meeting January 24-27. The 2011 CHEA Award for Outstanding Institutional Practice in Student Learning Outcomes was presented to Fr. Currie for his leadership "in developing and applying evidence of student learning outcomes to improve higher education quality and accountability."


Graduates of Jesuit Institutions Well Represented in the 112th U.S. Congress and Obama Administration
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC - Ten percent of the 112th U.S. Congress are Jesuit college and university alumni/ae. Among the 535 Members of this Congress, 54 of them are alumni/ae of Jesuit institutions. At least 30 alums also serve in appointed positions in the Obama Administration.


Six AJCU Institutions Named to Carnegie Foundation 2010 Community Engagement Classification
Thursday, January 06, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC - This week, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching named six AJCU institutions to its list of colleges and universities that have fostered significant relationships with their local and surrounding communities.


Longest-serving president of AJCU, Fr. Charles L. Currie, S.J., to step down
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Currie is responsible for a number of initiatives in Jesuit higher education, is an active member of the higher education community in Washington, and has spearheaded multiple national and collaborative programs


U.S. Jesuit Colleges and Universities among the "Best" in the Latest National Rankings
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Jesuit institutions are among America's "Best Colleges," according to the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings for 2011. All of the research and master's universities were recognized, and the College of the Holy Cross, the only exclusively undergraduate Jesuit institution in the U.S., was listed among the "Best Liberal Arts Colleges" in the country.


Gonzaga University Elects Dr. Thayne M. McCulloh as New President
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
SPOKANE, Wash. – The Gonzaga University Board of Trustees elected Dr. Thayne M. McCulloh as Gonzaga’s 26th president, succeeding Rev. Robert J. Spitzer, S.J. McCulloh has served as interim president since Rev. Spitzer’s departure in July 2009.


Rev. John P. Schlegel, SJ Announces Retirement as President of Creighton
Friday, July 16, 2010
OMAHA, Neb. – The Rev. John P. Schlegel, SJ has announced his intention to retire as president of Creighton University as of July 2011.


AJCU Remembers Rev. Paul L. Locatelli, SJ, 1938-2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
The Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) mourns the death of former Santa Clara University president and past chair of the AJCU board of directors, Fr. Paul L. Locatelli, SJ, who died on July 12 from pancreatic cancer. 


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Quote of the week

"...This crest [IHS] continually reminds us of a reality that we must never forget: the centrality of Christ for each one of us and for the whole Society, the Society that Saint Ignatius wanted to name "of Jesus" to indicate the point of reference."
Pope Francis: July 31, 2013


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Federal Relations


AJCU Federal Relations Network is the lobbying arm of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and comprised of at least one representative from each one of the twenty-eight Jesuit Colleges and Universities. The Network is kept up to date on an on-going basis by the Vice President for Federal Relations on all issues relating to Appropriations, budget, higher education authorization issues and taxes. The Network meets annually in September for a Legislative Conference and also participates in the Annual Committee for Education Funding Legislative Conference and Awards Dinner.
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AJCU Conferences


The 35+ Conferences sponsored by the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) are affinity groups within the AJCU Network. The Conferences provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, information and best practices; support the professional development of their members; and present opportunities for AJCU representatives to discuss opportunities and challenges in Jesuit higher education. Most of the AJCU Conference groups meet in person at least once a year, and many of them communicate regularly through an AJCU listserv.
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International Outreach


The member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) are committed to developing programs and partnerships that advance international education and support initiatives that advance global citizenship.
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