Inauguration of Boston College President John T. Butler, S.J.

Boston College hosts the Inauguration of its 26th president, John T. Butler, S.J., with a three-day celebration on October 15-17 that includes academic symposia, an Inauguration Mass, an academic procession, a formal Inauguration ceremony, and an alumni tailgate prior to the BC-Pittsburgh football game.   

The Inauguration celebration will begin on October 15 at 1:30 p.m., in Robsham Theater with the first of two academic symposia titled “The Light Shines Through: The Catholic Intellectual Tradition.”

Moderated by Quigley, the event will feature Donna Carroll, President of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities; Robert Dowd, C.S.C., President of the University of Notre Dame; Mary Ann Dillon, R.S.M., former President of Mount Aloysius College; and Brian Shanley, O.P., President of St. John’s University, with each presenter sharing insights on how the Catholic intellectual tradition is reflected through the charisms of particular religious orders.

It will be followed by a second symposium titled, “Jesuit, Catholic Education at Boston College: Formation for Wisdom and Hope.”

Moderated by Gregory Kalscheur, S.J., Dean of the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, it will feature Jeffrey Bloechl, Professor and Albert J. Fitzgibbons Chair in Philosophy; Andrew Boynton, John and Linda Powers Family Dean of the Carroll School of Management; Mary Crane, Thomas F. Rattigan Professor of English; Ryan Patrick Hanley, Professor and J. Joseph Moakley Chair in Political Science; and Avneet Hira, Associate Professor and Sabet Family Dean's Faculty Fellow in Engineering, each of whom will reflect on the culture of the Catholic intellectual tradition at Boston College, while celebrating BC’s past and harnessing the energy of a new chapter in the University’s history.

The academic symposia will be followed by a reception on Robsham Plaza.

Friday’s events will feature the Inauguration Mass at 10 a.m. in Conte Forum. The Mass, with Archbishop Richard G. Henning celebrating representing  the Archdiocese of Boston and diocesan priests, will include principal concelebrants from various religious orders that have been influential in Fr. Butler’s intellectual, spiritual, and personal growth: Bishop Joel Konzen, S.M.,  representing the Society of Mary (Marists); Philip Dabney, C.Ss.R., representing the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists); Kenneth Sicard, O.P., representing the Order of Preachers (Dominicans); Raymond Dlugos, O.S.A., representing the Order of Saint Augustine (Augustinians); and Robert Reiser, S.J.,  representing the Society of Jesus. Brother Adam Zielonka, O.C.S.O., representing the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (Trappists), will serve as the cross-bearer for the Mass.

Brief readings from Jesuit and Boston College history will take place beginning at 2 p.m. in front of Gasson Hall, followed by an academic procession from Linden Lane to Conte Forum featuring University Trustees, BC faculty and senior administrators, and presidents and delegates from colleges and universities throughout the country.

The Inauguration ceremony will begin at 3 p.m. in Conte Forum, and will feature speakers representing the BC academic community, the Board of Trustees, the Society of Jesus, the Catholic Church, and representatives from higher education institutions, as well as musical performances by students. Fr. Butler will then receive the University medallion, mace, and charter from members of the Board of Trustees, Jesuit community, and University President Emeritus William P. Leahy, S.J., before offering his inaugural address as president.

A public reception will be held from 4:30-7:00 p.m. on the Middle Campus, followed by a Campus Celebration from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Saturday’s events will include an Alumni Homecoming Tailgate, from 9-11:30 a.m., followed by the 12 noon football game vs. the University of Pittsburgh.

The academic symposia, Mass, procession, and Inauguration ceremony will be livestreamed and accessible via the Inauguration website. Additional details regarding Inauguration events will be posted on the website as they become available at www.bc.edu/inauguration.