Rev. Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J. plans on taking a sabbatical for one year after his retirement as president of Fairfield University, but still no one is quite sure what to expect.
Kelley wasn’t even positive about next year. “The simple answer about next year is that I will be taking a sabbatical,” he said. “I am still exploring options after that.”
Rev. James Bowler, S.J. said that within the Jesuit circle, a sabbatical year is a time to get refreshed for new ministry.
“In other words,” Bowler said, “if you’ve been doing one thing for so long, and you need a change, it gives you time to re-tool.”
Bowler said after Kelley’s lengthy tenure as president of the university, he deserves some rest.
“The first thing he’ll do after July 1 is to get some time enjoying not having the responsibility of being president of a university,” Bowler said.
He said that some of the options Kelley is exploring include teaching New Testament Greek here at the university and also taking more courses in the New Testament.
Rev. Paul Carrier, S.J. said a sabbatical is a very personal experience, and Kelley will do whatever would be most helpful for him.
Students also had opinions about what they want to see in store for their current president next year as he begins the next phase of his career.
“I definitely would like to see him still involved here at Fairfield. I think the student body really respects him, so if he’s still involved, I think it would have a good impact on everybody,” said Alexis Manganiello ’06.
Other students had a similar opinion, linking Kelley to the university he has led for so long.
“He’s been at Fairfield for so long, so I think it would be tough for him not to be involved with Fairfield in some way,” said Michael Bell ’06.
Kelley’s lengthy tenure in the president’s office in Bellarmine Hall will, according to some students, cast a long shadow for his successor.
“I think it’ll be hard for him [incoming President Jeffery Von Arx] to be new and coming in, especially since Father Kelley knew everyone around here,” said Michael Wong ’06.
Manganiello said, “I hope the new president is just as good, and I hope he’s available to students.”
Nothing is for sure but after some much needed rest, it is a definite possibility that Father Kelley will still be a part of the Fairfield University community – as well as explore new terrain – in the coming years.
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