UDALLAS RELEASE: University of Dallas Names New Provost
Irving, TX (01/08/2018) — University of Dallas President Thomas W. Keefe announced today that he has appointed Jonathan J. Sanford as university provost. Sanford has served as dean of the university's undergraduate liberal arts college, Constantin College, since 2015.
"This distinctive moment in the university's history required that we carefully consider every option available to us. After nearly a year-long national search for an outstanding professional to lead the University of Dallas academic enterprise, it became clear that the best candidate available was on our Irving campus all along," said Keefe of the appointment.
"I am humbled by this appointment and grateful to President Keefe and the board of trustees," said University Provost and Professor of Philosophy Jonathan J. Sanford. "The University of Dallas, with its celebrated commitment to excellence in liberal education and professional programs, and its world-class faculty, fosters in its students those virtues by which they truly become salt and light for the world. I aim to strengthen and build on that excellence."
Before joining the University of Dallas, Sanford served as associate vice president for academic affairs at Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he also became the founding director of the Franciscan University Press. He earned his honors Bachelor of Arts in classical languages and philosophy from Xavier University and his doctorate in philosophy from the University of Buffalo, State University of New York.
Sanford has served on and chaired a number of university committees, and his commitment to the Catholic intellectual tradition has been evident throughout his decades-long career in higher education. He has been extensively published and cited for his expertise on topics centered around ethics, virtue theory, metaphysics, and ancient and medieval philosophers such as Aristotle and Aquinas.
In his recommendation to university trustees, Keefe noted, "Dr. Sanford is known to all of us as a capable and thoughtful academic leader of high integrity who is committed to the Catholic intellectual tradition. Dr. Sanford has been a passionate supporter of the mission, vision and values of the university as dean, and I look forward to his contributions to the broader university community as provost."
Keefe also announced that Sally Hicks, currently department chair and professor of physics, will step into the role as dean of Constantin College.
"Dr. Hicks is highly regarded for her research and teaching by her peers both at the University of Dallas and nationally," said Keefe. "I look forward to the introduction of her strong voice to the academic leadership team."
Both appointments will take effect Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018.
About the University
The University of Dallas, located in a metropolitan area of nearly 7 million people, is a leading Catholic university widely recognized for academic excellence by well-known publications, organizations and accrediting bodies. It offers distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs in the liberal arts, business and ministry that are characterized by academic rigor, an exceptional faculty and a commitment to shaping principled leaders in the Catholic intellectual tradition. For more information, visit www.udallas.edu.
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University Provost and Professor of Philosophy Jonathan J. Sanford.
University of Dallas
Cliff Smith, Executive Director Marketing & Communications, 972-721-5194, casmith@udallas.eduShare this Story
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