Joseph Denis FitzGerald, S.J. (March 9, 1899 – September 22, 1974) was an American Jesuit and academic. He served as the third president of Fairfield University located in Fairfield, Connecticut, from 1951 to 1958.[1]

Joseph D. FitzGerald
3rd President of Fairfield University
In office
1951–1958
Preceded byJames H. Dolan
Succeeded byJames E. FitzGerald
Personal details
Born(1899-03-09)March 9, 1899
Lawrence, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedSeptember 22, 1974(1974-09-22) (aged 75)
Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
EducationBoston College

Biography

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FitzGerald was born in 1899 in Lawrence, Massachusetts,[2] and graduated from Boston College High School in 1917.[3] He then attended Boston College for a year, before entering the Society of Jesus; he was ordained in June 1931.[4] He held faculty positions at Boston College and College of the Holy Cross before being selected as president of Fairfield University in September 1951.[4][5]

During FitzGerald's seven-year tenure as president of Fairfield University, the first class of the university graduated in 1951 and the university was admitted to fully accredited membership in the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (NEASC).[4] Also, Loyola Hall was opened in 1955, Gonzaga Hall was opened in 1957, and Canisius Hall was opened in 1957.[4] After his tenure as Fairfield University president, FitzGerald was regional director of Jesuit high schools for four years.[3]

FitzGerald died in 1974 in Worcester, Massachusetts.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Our History". fairfield.edu. Retrieved March 9, 2024.
  2. ^ "Draft Registration Card". Selective Service System. February 1942. Retrieved March 9, 2024 – via fold3.com.
  3. ^ a b c "Fr. FitzGerald, Jesuit director of high schools". The Boston Globe. September 24, 1974. p. 40. Retrieved March 9, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b c d "Rev. Joseph D. Fitzgerald, S.J. Profile". fairfield.edu. Archived from the original on May 19, 2009 – via archive.org.
  5. ^ "Rector Appointed". The Meriden Daily Journal. Meriden, Connecticut. AP. October 19, 1951. p. 3. Retrieved March 9, 2024 – via newspapers.com.
Academic offices
Preceded by Fairfield University President
1951–1958
Succeeded by