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    Fr. Francis Kearney was elected fourteenth president of St. Bonaventure in August of 1961.  He was born in Stoneboro, Pennsylvania on February 16, 1912.  In 1931 he entered the Franciscan order and was ordained on June 7, 1938.  Fr. Francis received his Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Bonaventure in 1934. He received his Master of Philosophy degree from Columbia University in 1942.  By 1949 he was named chairman of the philosophy department and held that office until 1953.

    Fr. Francis' terms saw many advances in the University. He witnessed the construction of Hopkins Hall, Shay and Loughlin Dormitories, the Post Office Building , library additions and the University Center, now Reilly Center. This all from a friar who did not intend to build when elected president. He nonetheless saw the need for these additions and met the challenge willingly.  His efforts ended in the construction of the University Center which today is considered the heart of campus.  It houses the pool and main gym along with  classrooms, the Post office, bookstore and cafe. Throughout his terms some 10 million dollars were spent on necessary construction.  

     At the end of December 1966 Fr. Francis was named Times-Herald "Man of the Year" for his part in the birth of a new era of St. Bonaventure athletics. He could be seen at all sports events especially basketball, swimming and soccer. Fr. Francis died suddenly on his way to class at Plassmann Hall on January 30, 1976.   

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Biographical Information:

NAME: KEARNEY, FRANCIS (FR) (OFM)

DATE OF BIRTH: 1912-02-16

PLACE OF BIRTH: STONEBORO, PA.

RECEPTION INTO ORDER: 1931-08-24

ORDINATION DATE: 1938-06-07

WHERE ORDAINED: WASHINGTON, D.C.

SERVED AT SBU1939-1941\1949-53\1961-67

SERVED / PRESIDENT 1961-1967

SERVED ELSEWHERE: 1945-1949 TAUGHT PHILOSOPHY AT ST. STEPHEN'S FRIARY CROGHAN\ 1953-61 ST. FRANCIS HOUSE OF STUDIES- GUARDIAN AND RECTOR

ACCOMPLISHMENTS: DURING PRESIDENCY $10 MILLION DOLLARS OF CONSTRUCTION TOOK PLACE\ NAMED OLEAN TIMES HERALD MAN OF THE YEAR 1966\ MAY 1967 RECEIVED CITATION FROM FIRST ARMY FOR DEDICATION TO MILITARY SCIENCE PROGRAM\ 1934-RECEIVED B.A. FROM SBU\ 1942- RECEIVED MA FROM COLUMBIA IN PHIL\ 1945- RECEIVED PHD IN PHIL FROM LAVAL UNIV.

DATE OF DEATH1976-01-30

BURIAL PLACE: ST. BONAVENTURE  FRIARY PLOT

BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED WHILE PRESIDENT: ADMINISTRATION BUILDING \SHAY-LOUGHLIN \POST OFFICE\LIBRARY ADDITION\REILLY CENTER

BUILDINGS DEDICATED: BLESSED REILLY CENTER ON MAY 21,1967

LOCATION OF PHOTOS: ARCHIVES, FOUNDERS ROOM

Bibliography:

St. Bonaventure University Archives,  Presidents Files.