University President
John T. Butler, S.J., an educational administrator, trained counselor, and spiritual director, who had served as the Haub Vice President for University Mission and Ministry since 2010, began his tenure as the 26th President of Boston College on July 31, 2026.
As Haub Vice President, Fr. Butler led a coordinated university-wide effort to maintain and promote the distinctive academic and societal mission of Boston College. In this role, he advanced the University’s commitment to formative education, which seeks to integrate the intellectual, social, and spiritual dimensions of students’ lives, while enhancing BC’s heritage as a Jesuit, Catholic university.
Fr. Butler grew up in Atlanta and entered the Society of Jesus in 1991. He was ordained in 2000 and took final vows in 2015. He is a member of the United States East Province of Jesuits. During his career, he has served in internal ministry for the Society of Jesus as a formator; worked in both inpatient and outpatient clinical settings as a therapist; and engaged in prison ministry for more than 30 years. Since 2002, he has worked exclusively in the higher education apostolate at Boston College.
Fr. Butler holds degrees from St. Thomas University, B.A.; Providence College, M.S.; Loyola University Maryland, M.S.; Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry, S.T.L.; and Loyola University Maryland, Ph.D. He received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from St. Thomas University in 2016.