Michael J. Graham interview (session 2)

Authors

Michael James Graham

Interviewer

Anne Ryckbost

Interview Date

3-18-2021

Keywords

Society of Jesus, Jesuits, Xavier University (Cincinnati, Ohio), Michael James Graham, Universities and colleges, Careers, Big East, Basketball, Administration, University Relations, Fund raising, Jim Hoff

Interview Location

Cincinnati (Ohio)

Summary

Xavier University's thirty-fourth Jesuit president Rev. Michael J. Graham, SJ, was born March 9, 1953 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In 1975 he received a BA in psychology and philosophy from Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa. In 1983 he received a MA in psychology and PhD in American Studies both from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. He entered the Society of Jesus while at the University of Michigan and was ordained in 1988. Prior to his appointment as president he held several academic and administrative positions at Xavier University. Father Graham retired as president in 2021.

In this interview, Graham discusses his academic research, campus ministry work, and social activities at Georgetown University. He describes how he came to Xavier University and his impressions of the University when he arrived, including reflecting on the state of the Jesuit community at the time. He talks about his various teaching and administrative roles, the process of getting tenure, and his leadership as director of the University Scholars Program. Graham discusses his transition from faculty member to vice president of university relations under the leadership of president Jim Hoff, SJ. He explains how he became executive understudy for Jim Hoff and then how he became appointed as Xavier’s president.

Language

English

Duration

00:46:12

Format

audio/mp3

Display Category

Sound

Item Identifier

xuaoh2021_001_xu011_02_graham_access

Collection

Xavier University Oral History Collection

Repository

University Archives and Special Collections, Xavier University Library, Cincinnati, Ohio

Recommended Citation

Michael J. Graham interview, March 18, 2021, XUAOH2021-001-XU011-02, Xavier University Oral History Collection, University Archives and Special Collections, Xavier University Library, Cincinnati, Ohio

Rights

Copyright belongs to Xavier University (Cincinnati, Ohio). The interview may be used by individuals or libraries for personal use, research, teaching or any 'fair use' as defined by copyright law. Permission to reproduce materials in this collection for publication or distribution must be obtained from Xavier University Archives and Special Collections.