Reverend Louis Gaffney, S.J. Chair

The Reverend Louis Gaffney, S.J. Chair in the College of Arts and Sciences, which is made possible by the Jesuit community at Seattle University, promotes issues germane to the Jesuit mission and identity of the faith that does justice and supports the Jesuit ideal of teaching.

The Reverend Louis Gaffney, S.J. Chair 2012-14 is Professor Tom Taylor, Ph.D.

President Stephen Sundborg, S.J., appointed History Department Chair Tom Taylor as  the Reverend Louis Gaffney, S.J. Chair in the College of Arts and Sciences. 

As Gaffney Chair, Taylor will address the theme “Jesuit Missionaries: A Historical and Global Perspective” through a series of events. Planning is underway for lectures, workshops, and seminars focused on different geographic regions and Jesuit influence directly linked to world history.Because of their missionary calling, extensive travels, and detailed record keeping, Jesuits have become valuable sources of information.

Taylor directs the Global Awareness Program, a specialization available to students of any major in any college in the university. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota and joined the faculty in 1988. A prolific scholar, he received a Dean’s Research Fellowship in 2011 and, most recently, a university global grant to develop a pilot service learning project in conjunction with the Jesuit Mission of Bachajon in Chiapas, Mexico. He is currently working on a world history text to be published next year. 

Gaffney, S.J. Chairs

1985 – 1989: Sister Rosaleen Trainor, Philosophy

1989 – 1992: George Kunz, Psychology       

1992 – 1995: Gary Chamberlain, Theology and Religious Studies

1995 – 1997: Steen Halling, Psychology 
 
1997 – 1999: Patrick Burke, Philosophy  

1999 – 2001: Madeline Lovell,  Anthropology, Sociology and Social work  

2001 – 2003: Edwin Weihe,  English 

2003 – 2005: James Sawyer, Institute of Public Service 

2005 – 2007: Femi Taiwo, Global African Studies

2007 – 2010: Jodi O’Brien , Anthropology, Sociology and Social Work

2010 - 2012: Ted Fortier, Anthropology