Georgetown University will hold several farewell celebrations for outgoing University President Leo J. O’Donovan, S.J. before he steps down on July 1. Senior Vice President Jack J. DeGioia will replace O’Donovan, who has served as president for 12 years.
On Friday afternoon, the heads of all Georgetown campuses will hold a reception for O’Donovan on Copley Lawn from 3:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. All Georgetown staff, faculty and students are invited to attend.
The Dean of the Law Center, Judith Areen, the Main Campus Provost, Dorothy Brown, Senior Vice President, John J. DeGioia and Executive Vice President of the Medical Center Sam Wiesel will present O’Donovan with a surprise gift.
O’Donovan will speak at the ceremony on his tenure at Georgetown, according to the Office of Communications.
The Board of Directors is hosting a black-tie gala dinner honoring O’Donovan Saturday evening. Approximately 600 faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends are expected to attend. Tickets for the event are $200 each.
Students to receive complimentary tickets to the event were selected by Vice President for Student Affairs Juan Gonzalez.
“The evening will celebrate Father O’Donovan’s tenure at Georgetown, recognize the accomplishments under his leadership and thank him for his service to the University,” Assistant Vice President for Communications Julie Bataille said.
O’Donovan will preside at an invitation-only Mass in Dahlgren Chapel at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday for friends and family.
O’Donovan was recognized by students during Georgetown Day celebrations Tuesday. Students presented O’Donovan with an engraved pocket watch.
“I felt very honored to present the gift on behalf of the student body. He looked very touched by the gesture,” said Ryan DuBose (CAS ‘02), Georgetown University Student Association President.
O’Donovan graduated summa cum laude from Georgetown College in 1956. When named president in 1989, O’Donovan was a professor at Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, Mass. and a member of the University’s Board of Directors.
Under O’Donovan’s leadership, the University has regained solid financial standing and continued building expansion.
DeGioia will replace O’Donovan on July 1, 2001, becoming the 48th president of Georgetown University.
