W. Seavey Joyce | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 23rd President of Boston College | |
| In office 1968–1972 | |
| Preceded by | Michael P. Walsh |
| Succeeded by | J. Donald Monan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 3, 1913 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | May 19, 1988 (aged 74) Weston, Massachusetts |
| Alma mater | |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1943 |
William Seavey Joyce SJ (September 3, 1913 – May 19, 1988) was an American Catholic priest and Jesuit who was the president of Boston College from 1968 to 1972. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he entered the Society of Jesus in 1931 and later received a doctorate in economics from Harvard University. In 1949, Joyce became a professor of economics at Boston College, and later served as the dean of the College of Business Administration and the Graduate School of Management.
In 1968, Joyce was appointed the president of Boston College. His tenure was characterized by great change and major campus unrest, including numerous protests and disruptions by students; Joyce largely acquiesced to students' demands. Amidst controversy, Joyce disbanded the university's ROTC program and dramatically increased the number of black students and university spending on black studies and special black-student programs. Joyce also reorganized Boston College's governance, separating it from the Jesuit order, and implemented changes that reduced the Catholic and Jesuit character of the school. He oversaw several building projects on- and off-campus.
Boston College students, faculty, and alumni widely viewed Joyce's presidency unfavorably, and he resigned in 1971. Afterwards, he spent time engaged in pastoral work in Michigan.