Before his appointment as Provincial Superior of the New England Province, he was one of the most beloved professors and colleagues during his 15-year tenure at Fairfield.
Now, four years later, Fr. Thomas Regan will return to Fairfield on May 20 to accept an honorary doctor of laws degree and address the Class of 2007 at its commencement.
“I believe there is something so rewarding about teaching and engaging in the life of the mind that no other profession can match,” Regan said. “After teaching thousands of Fairfield degree recipients, to be named one myself is really quite humbling.”
Regan was named Alpha Sigma Nu “Teacher of the Year” in 1984 and went on to chair the philosophy department as a tenured associate professor. In addition, he acted as the co-director of the Ignatian Residential College.
Regan said he misses Fairfield “every day,” and indicated that he might be open to the possibility of returning when his term as provincial expires in 2009.
“I believe that there is something so rewarding about teaching and engaging in the life of the mind that no other profession can match,” he said. “Although it seems hard to believe it is already four years since I left Fairfield. My term is six years. Two years from now, I would like nothing better than to return to doing something that I truly love to do.”
His current position entails overseeing approximately 400 Jesuit priests, brothers and seminarians.
The Jesuits of New England sponsor Fairfield, Boston College, Holy Cross and four Preparatory schools in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Maine.
University President Fr. Jeffrey von Arx, whose stated policy is to have a commencement speaker who he believes will speak to the Jesuit ideals of the University, heaped praise on Regan.
“Fr. Tom Regan has been one of the most popular professors we have had at Fairfield, to which many devoted students will attest,” said von Arx. “Fr. Regan will be able to speak eloquently to Fairfield’s Jesuit and Catholic identity, especially from his current perspective of involvement in the national and international work of the Society of Jesus.”
Alumni and educators alike echoed von Arx’s praise.
“In an age where four years of education at a private university costs the same as a decent middle class home in many parts of the country, Fr. Regan was the kind of professor that makes such a significant investment worthwhile,” said Chris Donis ’00.
Fairfield philosophy professor Joy Gordon, a former colleague of Regan’s, recalled the passion he expressed in his classes, so much so that some students never wanted to leave his class.
“I saw him teach a number of times, and he brought a great deal of energy and enthusiasm to the classroom,” Gordon said. “I knew several students who minored in Fr. Regan; they did their entire minor in philosophy taking his courses.”
But Fairfield seniors expressed about doubts about von Arx’s decision to choose a Jesuit over a celebrity.
“It’s not very meaningful if we didn’t know him,” said Meghan Andreo ’07.
“I’ve never heard of the guy quite honestly,” said Jamie Hendrick ’07.
Other students looked optimistically on Regan’s familiarity with Fairfield.
“I’m glad that someone with such a presence at Fairfield is speaking,” said Liz McCabe ’07.
Even after his years away from Fairfield, Regan said he still believes that he is in touch with the students.
“With the exception of the class of 1988, I have had contact with all of the classes at Fairfield beginning with 1981 right up through the class of 2006,” he said. “I think that the graduates want to hear something that celebrates what they have accomplished at Fairfield and what they might expect or anticipate regarding their future.”
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