University Mourns Former President

Rockhurst University is mourning the death of former University president the Rev. Peter Ely, S.J., on Saturday, April 11.

He earned a Ph.D. in theology from Fordham University and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in philosophy from Gonzaga. He was ordained as a member of the Society of Jesus in 1969.

Fr. Ely served as the 12^th president of the University, succeeding the Rev. Thomas J. Savage, S.J., following his retirement in 1996. Previously, Fr. Ely had served as academic vice president, associate professor of religious studies, and acting president of Gonzaga University.

Following his departure from Rockhurst in 1997, Fr. Ely returned to Washington state, serving as rector of the Arrupe Jesuit Community as well as vice president for Mission and Ministry and an associate professor of theology and religious studies at Seattle University. He also led a number of mission-focused initiatives at the institution, including in 2017 serving as chair of the committee charged with leading Seattle University through the Mission Examen process.

Seattle University is hosting a virtual memorial service at 2:30 p.m. Central Standard Time on Thursday, April 16.