Seattle University Office of the President: William J. Sullivan, SJ Records
Scope and Contents note
This collection contains presidential subject files (1976-1996), speeches and talks (1976-1999), documentation and planning for the Seattle University Centennial Celebration (1991), personal papers, Trustees, Regents and Cabinet records (1981-1987), Chancellor records (1996-2009), Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Board records (1998-2003), homilies and sermons for Sundays, Feast Days, funerals and weddings (1990-2008), awards, trophies, plaques, photographs, course development notes for the Matteo Ricci College humanities and political science class titled Leadership: Theory and Practice (2001-2003), course development for Alumni seminars, such as Great Jesuit Thinkers (featuring Teilhard de Chardin), Fr. Sullivan's doctoral dissertation, and an oral history recording (2008) highlighting the challenges and milestones of his presidency.
Dates
- 1976-2009
Creator
- Seattle University. Office of the President (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access note
The collection is open for research.
Biographical/Historical note
William J. Sullivan, SJ served as the 20th President of Seattle University from 1976-1996. A member of the Wisconsin Province of the Society of Jesus, Fr. Sullivan was only the second university president not from the Oregon Province Jesuits. Fr. Sullivan was the first Roman Catholic priest admitted to the religious studies program at Yale Divinity School, receiving his doctorate in 1971. Fr. Sullivan was serving as Dean of the St. Louis Divinity School when he was appointed Provost of Seattle University in 1975. Fr. Sullivan was appointed President in 1976 following the departure of Edmund Ryan, SJ. Fr. Sullivan was one of the most successful administrators in university history. Under his presidency finances were stabilized, an endowment was established, new academic and professional programs were launched (most notably the Law School), and the physical campus was transformed with ecological green landscaping and new and renovated buildings, including the Casey Building, the Chapel of St. Ignatius, the George Tsutakawa fountain, Sullivan Hall and the Garrand building.
Extent
21.5 Linear Feet (23 boxes, 3 oversize boxes, 61 artifacts)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
William J. Sullivan, SJ served as the 20th President of Seattle University from 1976-1996, and also as Chancellor from 1996-2009. Fr. Sullivan was one of the most successful administrators in Seattle University history, stabilizing finances, establishing an endowment, inaugurating new academic and professional programs (most notably the Law School), while transforming the physical campus. This collection contains records from his time as President (1976-1996) and Chancellor (1996-2009).
Arrangement note
Records arranged by Mary Linden Sepulveda
Separated Materials note
117 monographs and booklets received with these records are cataloged and available in the library's main book collection.
General Physical Description note
23 boxes, 3 oversize boxes, and 61 artifacts
- Awards
- Budgets
- Certificates
- Colleges and Universities
- Correspondence
- Education, Higher -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
- Jesuits. Oregon Province
- Jesuits. Wisconsin Province
- Memorabilia
- Memorandums
- Minutes
- Oral histories (document genres)
- Photographs
- Plaques (flat objects)
- Portraits
- Seattle
- Seattle University--Buildings
- Seattle University--Faculty
- Seattle University--Presidents--20th century
- Seattle University--Records and correspondence
- Seattle University. Office of the President
- Sermons
- Speeches
- Trophies (objects)
- Universities and colleges -- Washington (State) -- Seattle -- Administration
Creator
- Seattle University. Office of the President (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the Seattle University Office of the President: William J. Sullivan, SJ Records
- Author
- Mary Linden Sepulveda
- Date
- 2011
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
- Sponsor
- Funding for preparing the finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Repository Details
Part of the Seattle University, Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons, Special Collections Repository