Only 13th president in Benedictine’s 137 year history
Lisle, IL (March 4, 2024) – Benedictine University inaugurated Dr. Joseph J. Foy as its thirteenth President March 4, 2024, at an on-campus celebration called “Legacy and Leadership.”
The day began at 9:00 a.m. with the Presidential Investiture Ceremony in the Auditorium of the Daniel L. Goodwin Hall of Business on the Benedictine University campus. During the Investiture Ceremony, the new president assumed the articles of office. The event featured campus musicians, student leaders, and remarks by Sr. Andrea Lee, Staff Chaplain of the University of Notre Dame, and Katherine Donofrio, Chair of Benedictine’s Board of Trustees.
The culmination of the Investiture Ceremony was Dr. Foy’s Inaugural Address, a portion of which follows:
“I see students accessing a Benedictine education while still in high school through dual and concurrent enrollment programs, and adult learners who are finding opportunities to upskill and earn certifications and credentials in fields like Artificial Intelligence and Renewable Energy that will help them make that next step toward their passionate and productive purpose.
I see a Benedictine University in which we work in direct partnership and collaboration with local businesses and service agencies to reset the narrative around the value of higher education. Through these partnerships, I see a university with classrooms that extend beyond walls and limitations; classrooms that are the community, with experiential and signature student work that engages integrative and generative learning to solve local, national and global problems in real-time while growing as leaders.
That is why I am proud to announce a new presidential innovation fund that was started through incredibly generous support of Board members and benefactors who have given us resources to capitalize on emergent opportunities without sacrificing the stability of ongoing operations.”
The Investiture Ceremony was followed by an Installation Mass at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church. The Most Reverend Ronald A. Hicks, sixth bishop of the Diocese of Joliet presided.
Following the Installation Mass, a reception for the Benedictine community took place in Goodwin Hall. The Board of Trustees, faculty, staff and students participated.
The Inauguration of President Foy coincided with the 137th anniversary of the founding of Benedictine University. Benedictine University was established by the Benedictine monks of St. Procopius Abbey on March 2, 1887. The University bears the name of St. Benedict of Nursia, father of Western monasticism.
President Joseph J. Foy
Upon his appointment, Dr. Foy pledged to remain faithful to Benedictine’s distinctive mission and vision—to be a thought leader in Catholic higher education and to provide a transformative and integrative educational experience grounded in Benedictine values and respect for all faiths and cultures.
Prior to his appointment at Benedictine in July 2023, President Foy served as Interim President at Alverno College (Milwaukee, WI), where he previously served as the Vice President of Academic Affairs. He has prior administrative experience in private, Catholic higher education, serving as Dean of the Faculty at Marian University (Fond du Lac, WI), and in public higher education serving as the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Associate Campus Dean, and statewide department chair in the University of Wisconsin Colleges.
Before transitioning into administration, Foy taught a variety of courses as a tenured faculty member in Political Science at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and University of Wisconsin-Waukesha where he was recognized with the UW Colleges and UW-Extension Chancellor’s Award for Excellence (2016, 2010), the Barringon-Musolf Award for Faculty Research (2010), and the Arthur M. Kaplan Award for Excellence in Teaching (2009).
Foy earned a bachelor’s degree, with honors, in Political Science and International Relations from Carroll College (Helena, MT). He also holds a master’s degree in Comparative Politics and International Relations, and a Ph.D. in American Government and Comparative Politics from the University of Notre Dame (South Bend, IN).
