John I. Jenkins

John I. Jenkins
Name	John I. Jenkins
Birth date	1953
Birth place	Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
Alma mater	University of Notre Dame (B.A.), University of Oxford (B.Phil., D.Phil.)
Occupation	University president, philosopher
Title	17th President of the University of Notre Dame
Term start	2005
Term end	2024
Predecessor	Edward Malloy
Successor	Robert A. Dowd

John I. Jenkins is an American academic administrator and scholar of medieval philosophy who served as the 17th president of the University of Notre Dame from 2005 to 2024. A member of the Congregation of Holy Cross, his presidency was marked by significant growth in the university's academic stature, research enterprise, and global profile. He previously served as a professor in the university's Department of Philosophy and as its provost.

Early life and education

John I. Jenkins was born in 1953 in Toledo, Ohio. He entered the Congregation of Holy Cross in 1978 and was ordained a priest in 1983. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from the University of Notre Dame in 1976. For his graduate studies, he attended Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar, where he received a Bachelor of Philosophy in 1981 and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1989. His doctoral dissertation focused on the thought of the medieval theologian Saint Anselm.

Academic career

Jenkins joined the University of Notre Dame faculty in 1990 as an assistant professor in the Department of Philosophy. His scholarly work centered on medieval philosophy, particularly the traditions of Augustinian and Anselmian thought. He was promoted to associate professor in 1996 and to full professor in 2000. In 1997, he was appointed chair of the philosophy department, a role he held until 2000 when he was named vice president and associate provost. He served as the university's provost from 2004 until his selection as president.

Presidency of the University of Notre Dame

Elected by the University of Notre Dame Board of Trustees in 2005, Jenkins became the university's 17th president. His tenure oversaw the launch of several major initiatives, including the ambitious "Spirit of Notre Dame" capital campaign. He prioritized strengthening the university's research profile, leading to significant growth in sponsored research funding and the establishment of new institutes like the Notre Dame Institute for Advanced Study. Under his leadership, the university constructed numerous facilities, including Duncan Student Center, Corbett Family Hall, and expanded the Notre Dame Stadium. He also navigated complex national dialogues, notably inviting President Barack Obama to deliver the 2009 commencement speech at Notre Dame, which sparked debate over Obama's policies regarding abortion. Jenkins announced in 2023 that he would conclude his presidency in 2024, succeeded by Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C..

Views and public statements

Jenkins frequently articulated the role of a Catholic university in modern society, emphasizing the integration of faith and reason. He publicly defended the university's decision to honor Barack Obama in 2009, while reaffirming Notre Dame's commitment to Catholic teaching on life. In 2015, he authored a prominent editorial in *The Washington Post* advocating for environmental responsibility, leading to the university's decision to divest from coal. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was a vocal proponent of campus safety measures and vaccination, authoring op-eds in *The New York Times*. He also issued statements on national events, including the January 6 Capitol attack.

Honors and awards

For his academic achievements, Jenkins was selected as a Rhodes Scholar in 1978. He has received honorary doctorates from several institutions, including the University of Portland and Saint Mary's College. In 2015, he was awarded the F. Sadlier Dinger Award by William H. Sadlier, Inc. for contributions to Catholic education. The American Philosophical Association has recognized his scholarly contributions to the field of medieval philosophy.

Personal life

A member of the Congregation of Holy Cross, Jenkins remains an ordained Catholic priest. He is known to be an avid reader of history and a fan of Notre Dame football. Following his presidency, he intends to return to teaching and writing within the university's Department of Philosophy.

Category:University of Notre Dame faculty Category:American Roman Catholic priests Category:American philosophers Category:Rhodes Scholars Category:Presidents of the University of Notre Dame Category:1953 births Category:Living people