The College of Arts and Sciences, Seattle University's largest college, provides funding for the William F. LeRoux, S.J. Endowed Chair in Arts and Sciences. The endowed chair is awarded to a Jesuit academic in the arts, humanities, or social sciences. The appointment is for one academic quarter (10 weeks in Fall, Winter, or Spring). The chair is required to teach one course and conduct a public lecture, with remaining time available to advance his scholarship and engage with the Seattle University community.
Chairs are selected based on their scholarship and teaching. Jesuit academics in any of the arts, humanities, and social sciences are eligible. Contact Maria Bullon-Fernandez, PhD, Associate Dean for Arts and Humanities, for more information.
LeRoux Chairs and the faculties they joined at Seattle University:
William F. LeRoux, S.J. came to Seattle University in 1958 as a professor in theology. He served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (1977 – 82) and as an assistant to the Vice President for University Advancement from 1982 until his death in 2004. He was a much beloved ambassador to alumni and friends.
In November 1997, Leo J. Hindery, class of '69, and his wife Deborah honored Father LeRoux for his 40 years of service to Seattle University by establishing the William F. Le Roux, S.J. Endowed Chair in College of Arts and Sciences.
"Father LeRoux changed my life and then helped define it," said Hindery. "That was his gift to me, and it was the same gift he has given to countless others each day that he has been in the Society of Jesus. My gift to him is to help preserve in the memory of this great university and in the minds of students yet to come here the wonderful, incredible, generous, and caring legacy of Father LeRoux."
In 1998, Dan Murphy expressed similar sentiments when he and his wife Joyce provided the remaining funds necessary to support the endowed chair.