The first lines of Father Michael Sheeran’s last graduation speech as president of Regis University could have been words of encouragement meant for him this weekend.
“Odds are you’ve already heard ten times this week that you’re at a ‘milestone’ in your life. It’s true, of course. Most cliches are true, that’s how they become cliches. The great thing about a milestone is that it marks an achievement,” Sheeran said to the most recent batch of Regis graduates.
Sheeran has been an educator and administrator in Colorado for 37 years — the last 19 years as president of Regis — and is now being transferred within the Jesuit order to a new position in Washington, D.C.
“Just think of it, I’ve spent my life in education in Colorado and this is the uprooting process,” Sheeran told the Post on Saturday. “Yeah, today is emotional.”
“I joke that I’ve been in Denver so long because I have such bad allergies,” Sheeran said. “And they’re transferring me now because the allergy medicines are so much better.”
In reality, his 40 years in Denver probably has more to do with his leadership style than any joke may imply. Regis has had just two presidents in the past 39 years.
“We led very similarly and that’s why we’ve had so much growth,” Sheeran said.
And while the university’s growth has been a subject of pride, Sheeran, when pressed to name just one accomplishment, says he is proudest of the way the people of Regis embody the Jesuit mission.
“Most of the faculty are not Catholic, but they all really see that you serve God by serving your neighbor,” Sheeran said.
Sheeran’s successor will be Father John Fitzgibbons, who is transferring from his position as associate provost of Marquette University. The two men have known each on and off for years and Sheeran feels confident in Fitzgibbons.
“It’s easy to pass the baton off when you know the person will run really well,” Sheeran said. “I’m 72 years old and it’s good to pass it on to someone while I’m still making (clear) decisions.”
Sheeran holds a long list of things he will miss about both Colorado and his job, including the mountains, his friends, and teaching.
“That’s been really hard…the classroom is my escape…seeing their eyes light up with discovering,” Sheeran said, with a light in his own eyes.
Now, as he walks off the center stage at Regis, Sheeran can look back and remember his commencement words that “a milestone marks an achievement.”
“This is where I’ve spent my life. Whatever we are, for good or for ill, I’ve helped to mold,” Sheeran said of the university. “It really is my child.”
Kristen Leigh Painter: 303-954-1638 or kpainter@denverpost.com
