Joseph Michael McShane, S.J.

Doctor of Divinity

The Reverend Joseph Michael McShane of the Society of Jesus has devoted his life to forming students with minds and hearts of conscience, competence, and compassion. As a professor at Le Moyne College, he embodied cura personalis, guiding each student with scholarly rigor and fatherly care. As dean of Fordham College at Rose Hill, then president of the University of Scranton, and finally Fordham’s 32nd president, he summoned each institution to discover the fullness of its soul. As Fordham’s president, he ushered in an era of unprecedented growth: The University invested more than $1 billion in new construction and infrastructure, raised in excess of $1 billion in philanthropic support, and expanded its endowment beyond $1 billion. He did all of this as he broadened academic excellence, embraced a richly diverse student body, and extended Fordham’s reach to the world.

Father McShane’s most enduring gift is a culture of encounter: He knows our names (and usually where we went to high school), he remembers our stories, and he teaches us to recognize Christ in every person we meet. His boundless empathy, prophetic vision, and joyful proclamation of the Gospel have left an indelible mark on American Catholic higher education and on the hearts of the Fordham family he so dearly loves.

For his dynamic leadership, tireless advocacy for the University and Jesuit education, and for all he has done to ensure that Fordham’s long maroon line continues to thrive in the 21st century, we, the President and Trustees of Fordham University, in solemn convocation assembled and in accord with the chartered authority bestowed on us by the Regents of the University of the State of New York, declare Joseph Michael McShane of the Society of Jesus Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa. That he may enjoy all rights and privileges of this, our highest honor, we have issued these letters patent under our hand and the corporate seal of the University on this, the 17th day of May in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Five.