A new president takes over Friday at Regis University, Colorado’s only Jesuit Catholic university, as Rev. John P. Fitzgibbons succeeds retiring Rev. Michael Sheeran.
Fitzgibbons becomes the university’s 24th president, but only the third in 40 years. Sheeran had served since 1993.
The Regis Board of Trustees announced Sheeran’s retirement and Fitzgibbons’ selection last summer. An inauguration ceremony for Fitzgibbons is scheduled for Sept. 25 at the university’s North Denver (Lowell) campus.
He will celebrate his 57th birthday on the same day he officially becomes Regis’ president.
“I’m elated and honored to be part of Regis University,” Fitzgibbons said in a press release. “Building on the excellent work done by Father Sheeran, I look forward to ensuring that the enrollment, retention and promised academic excellence of Regis University continue in upward trajectories.”
A native of Omaha, Neb., Fitzgibbons joined the Jesuits in1973 and was ordained a priest in 1985.
He most recently served as associate provost for faculty development at Marquette University.
Fitzgibbons holds the following degrees: a doctorate in English from Loyola University Chicago, master in sacred theology from the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, master of divinity from the Weston School of Theology, master of arts in English from the University of Chicago, and a bachelor of arts in philosophy and English from Saint Louis University.
In 2008, Father Fitzgibbons was appointed delegate and elector at the Jesuits’ 35th General Congregation in Rome.
Electa Draper: 303-954-1276 or edraper@denverpost.com
