Leo J. O'Donovan | |
|---|---|
_cropped.jpg) O'Donovan speaking at the Dutch Embassy in Washington, D.C., in 2017 | |
| 47th President of Georgetown University | |
| In office 1989–2001 | |
| Preceded by | Timothy S. Healy |
| Succeeded by | John J. DeGioia |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1934 (age 89–90) New York City, United States |
| Alma mater | |
| Awards | Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Knight Commander's Cross) |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1966 |
Leo Jeremiah O'Donovan III SJ (born 1934) is an American Catholic priest, Jesuit, and theologian who served as the president of Georgetown University from 1989 to 2001. Born in New York City, he graduated from Georgetown, and while studying in France, decided to enter the Society of Jesus. He went on to receive advanced degrees from Fordham University and Woodstock College, and received his doctorate in theology from the University of Münster, where he studied under Karl Rahner. Upon returning to the United States, he became a professor at Woodstock College and the Weston Jesuit School of Theology, before becoming the president of the Catholic Theological Society of America and a senior administrator in the Jesuit Maryland Province.
In 1989, O'Donovan was named the president of Georgetown University. His administration saw a significant improvement of the university's finances, which included tripling its endowment and selling the university hospital, which was in substantial debt. The number of applications for admission increased, and Georgetown became among the most selective universities in the country. At the same time, the faculty, administration, and student body became increasingly diverse. His tenure was not without controversy, as he was ordered by a Vatican ecclesiastical court to withdraw funding for a student abortion rights group. He also served as a director of The Walt Disney Company from 1996 to 2007.
Following the end of his presidency in 2001, O'Donovan returned to teaching, continuing to do so until 2013. He has remained active in national higher education organizations, and in 2016, became the director of mission for the Jesuit Refugee Service USA. A longtime friend of President Joe Biden, O'Donovan delivered the invocation at Biden's 2021 presidential inauguration.