College of the Holy Cross - Purple Patcher Yearbook (Worcester, MA)

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1 1 REV. JOH E. BRQOKS, SJ. 71 716 P I 4 .Y i I i 1 tial!!! fl if f A 7 'U 5584 gif L 1 I 1 I 1 4 I i

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The commitment to Christian ideals within higher education which led Bishop Joseph Fenwick to estab- lish the College of the Holy Cross motivates John E. Brooks, S.J. in his work as alumnus, teacher, and administrator. Fr. Brooks' long relationship with Holy Cross began in his days as a member of the Class of I949. After obtaining Masters Degrees in philosophy and geophysics from Boston College, he returned to Holy Cross as instructor from l954 to I956. Fr. Brooks was ordained a priest in the Society of Jesus in I959 and in l963 obtained his Doctorate in Sacred Theol- ogy from Gregorian University in Rome. The same year, he returned to Mount Saint James, beginning twenty years of continuous service to Holy Cross. First as instructor of theology, and later as Dean and Vice-President, Fr. Brooks set forth high aca- demic standards and quickly distinguished himself as an ardent proponent of the liberal arts. His con- cern for excellence within education led to his ap- pointment as 25th President of Holy Cross in l97O. In the l979-80 President's Report he indicates the na- ture of the liberal arts education. . . the primary purpose of Holy Cross is not to make chemists, or historians, or doctors or lawyers, but to allow and DEDICATIQ encourage our students to test their mental capaci- ties, to explore the possibilities and responsibilities of freedom, and to assist them in giving shape to their own inchoate sense of themselves and their promise as leaders. In conjunction with his concern for academic ex- cellence, Fr. Brooks has successfully worked to per- ceive the needs of Holy Cross within the context of a changing society. ln l968, while Dean, he actively sought to diversify the student body by recruiting 60 black students. ln l972, as president, he led the smooth transition to coeducation. More recently, he provided leadership for The Campaign for Holy Cross, thereby promoting growth in the endowment and improvement in the physical plant. Such administrative demands, however, have not prevented Fr. Brooks from maintaining awareness of student needs. His classroom activity and presence on campus exemplify his concern for present and future students. In appreciation for his Christian leadership and his commitment to higher education, in short for his unending service to the College of the Holy Cross, the I983 Purple Patcher is dedicated to John E. Brooks, S.J.

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SW lj X71 There have been so many proud moments for me over the years at Holy Cross but the one event which I cherish the most was the board meeting in l97O when I supported the nomination of Father Brooks for President. There is no college in the country which has a more active and supportive alumni body than Holy Cross and no Catholic college which has done more for ecumenism than this institution. Father Brooks deserves the credit for these accomplishments and so many more. It has been a tremendous pleasure to have worked so closely for so many years with such a strong and compassionate man. He leaves me, the Holy Cross community, and the city and people of Worcester much richer for his tenure here. -Jacob Hiatt Chairman Rand-Whitney Corporation Member, Board of Trustees, College of the Holy Cross Holy Cross College has been singularly blessed to have had Father John Brooks at the helm for these past thirteen years. His qualities of leadership and administrative skills have kept the College on a steady course toward its goal of academic excellence and fiscal viability in very difficult times. He has well earned this accolade of gratitude and esteem in which I am pleased to join as a long-time friend and admirer. -Most Reverend Bernard J. Flanagan, D.D. Bishop of Worcester . . First and foremost. Father Brooks has become an outstand- ing proponent of excellence in education. He has determined to raise the standards at Holy Cross and to spread this philosophy to all contemporary institutions of higher education. Concurrently with this goal, he has worked for expansion of the endowment fund, along with encouragement to alumni, business and friends to build the college along these lines. His leadership has brought many of his original goals to fruition, with a collateral expansion of the physical plant to meet new challenges and requirements. As City Manager, l consider Father Brooks as one of the out- standing Ieaders in our community who has contributed his exper- tise and example to the City of Worcester, and earned the admira- tion of all its citizens .... -Francis J. McGrath Worcester City Manager 20 nfl www ' ,QT-ft , . f. had' K., .xT,w .. I f Q, . , , . ' u A V' 7,1