Former Saint Louis University administrator Michael Garanzini, S.J., has been named the next president of Loyola University Chicago. As the university’s 23rd president, he succeeds John J. Piderit, S.J., who stepped down in May after serving as president for seven years.
The appointment was finalized by the university’s board of trustees on Friday, Jan. 19. Garanzini will begin his new position in June.
Garanzini said that a search committee had asked him to consider the position as Loyola’s president. “It is a complex, urban University much like SLU and this has always been attractive to me,” he said. “I enjoy the challenge of working with diverse groups inside and outside the University in the wider community. I believe that a Jesuit university has something unique to offer to students and to the city.”
Garanzini described the Loyola faculty as “a dedicated and talented group of people who want their students to become involved with the important issues and problems of the day.”
“It seemed to me that working at Loyola would be much like working at a place like SLU, one with the same level of commitment, energy and enthusiasm,” he said. “That’s what attracted me and that’s what I look forward to.”
A St. Louis native, Garanzini received his B.A. in psychology from SLU in 1971, the same year he entered the Society of Jesus. He also served as SLU’s student body president. From 1984 to 1988, Garanzini maintained academic responsibilities at both the University of San Francisco and Gregorian University in Rome.
Garanzini first began his tenure at SLU in 1988 as associate professor of Counseling and Family Therapy. He then served as acting vice president for Student Development, assistant academic vice president from 1992 to 1994, and finally as academic vice president from 1994 to 1998.
After leaving SLU, Garanzini joined Fordham University’s faculty as a professor in psychological services.
Garanzini has also served as a member of the board of trustees and as chair of the academic affairs committees at both Rockhurst College and Loyola University New Orleans.
Currently, Garanzini is a full-time professor of psychology at Georgetown University and has served as special assistant to the president for the past two years. He also chairs the reaccreditation process.
SLU faculty and students expressed positive reactions upon hearing the news of Garanzini’s appointment.
SLU professor Richard Breslin worked with Garanzini for three years. As academic vice president, Garanzini reported to Breslin, who at that time served as former executive vice president and provost.
“Fr. Garanzini has had excellent experience as a faculty member and administrator,” Breslin said. “The community at Loyola Chicago will genuinely like him.”
Breslin noted that Garanzini had initiated a key element at SLU-the University Hearing Committee. This committee, created in February 1998, was charged with reviewing comments and suggestions from the SLU community in regard to student retention.
Phil Lyons, director of the Office of Student Life, worked on the Hearing Committee-specifically, the First-Year Task Force-with Garanzini. “I think he’ll be a great fund-raiser,” Lyons said, “and Loyola needs some help financially.”
Lyons added that Garanzini had “an excellent rapport with the students here” and spent a great deal of time with them.
Student Government Association President Jay Perry expressed his reaction to the news. “He’ll be an incredible advocate and an incredible friend for the students,” he said.
