William F. LeRoux, S.J. Endowed Chair

The College of Arts and Sciences, Seattle University's largest college, provides funding for the William F. LeRoux, S.J. Endowed Chair in Arts and Sciences. The endowed chair is awarded to a Jesuit academic in the arts, humanities, or social sciences. The appointment is for one academic quarter (10 weeks in Fall, Winter, or Spring). The chair is required to teach one course and conduct a public lecture, with remaining time available to advance his scholarship and engage with the Seattle University community.

Chairs are selected based on their scholarship and teaching. Jesuit academics in any of the arts, humanities, and social sciences are eligible. Contact Maria Bullon-Fernandez, PhD, Associate Dean for Arts and Humanities, for more information.

LeRoux Chairs and the faculties they joined at Seattle University:

2021-22

  • Fr. Jorge Salcedo MartÍnez, S.J.

2019-20

  • Fr Kizito Kiyimba, S.J., Arrupe University, Zimbabwe

2017-18

  • Michael Barber, S.J., Professor of Philosophy at St. Louis University.

2016-17

  • Martin Moleski, S.J., Professor of Religious Studies and Catholic Theology at Canisius College, Buffalo, NY

1999-2016

  • Jorge Jose Ferrer, S.J., Professor, Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico
  • Dorian Llywelyn, S.J., Loyola Marymount University, Theology and Religious Studies Department
  • James Pribek, S.J., Canisius College, English Department
  • Tom Worcester, S.J., College of the Holy Cross, History Department
  • Mark Bosco, S.J., Loyola University Chicago, English Department
  • Mark Ravizza, S.J., Santa Clara University, Philosophy Department
  • Paul Fitzgerald, S.J., Fairfield University, Theology and Religious Studies Department
  • Pat Kelly, S.J., Loyola Marymount University, Theology and Religious Studies Department
  • Thomas Rausch, S.J., Loyola Marymount University, Theology and Religious Studies Department
  • John J. Cecero, S.J., Fordham University, Psychology Department
  • Gerald McKevitt, S.J., Santa Clara University, History Department
  • John Endres, S.J., Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, Theology and Religious Studies Department
  • Joseph Feeney, S.J., St. Joseph's University, English Department
  • Peter Henriot, S.J., Social Justice Center, Zambia; former SU Professor, Political Science Department
  • Paul Milan, Seattle University, Modern Languages Department (Prof. Paul Milan, the first LeRoux Chair, was not a Jesuit.)

About William F. LeRoux, S.J.

William F. LeRoux, S.J. came to Seattle University in 1958 as a professor in theology. He served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (1977 – 82) and as an assistant to the Vice President for University Advancement from 1982 until his death in 2004. He was a much beloved ambassador to alumni and friends.

In November 1997, Leo J. Hindery, class of '69, and his wife Deborah honored Father LeRoux for his 40 years of service to Seattle University by establishing the William F. Le Roux, S.J. Endowed Chair in College of Arts and Sciences.

"Father LeRoux changed my life and then helped define it," said Hindery. "That was his gift to me, and it was the same gift he has given to countless others each day that he has been in the Society of Jesus. My gift to him is to help preserve in the memory of this great university and in the minds of students yet to come here the wonderful, incredible, generous, and caring legacy of Father LeRoux."

In 1998, Dan Murphy expressed similar sentiments when he and his wife Joyce provided the remaining funds necessary to support the endowed chair.