Assumption University of Thailand Conferment of Honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Arts on Rev. Harold Ridley, S.J.

Citation

Rev. Harold Ridley, S.J. is currently the President of Loyola College in Maryland and has held this position since July 1, 1994. Father Ridley was born on June 20, 1939 in Jersey City, N.J. He was educated at St. Peter’s Preparatory School, Jersey City and Fordham University, College of Philosophy and Letters where he obtained his bachelor’s degree in 1962, Licen-tiate in Philosophy in 1963, and master’s degree in 1964.

After finishing his course work, he pursued theological studies at Woodstock College where he attained the bachelor of divinity degree in 1969 and master of sacred theology degree in 1970 from Union Theological Seminary. He earned his Ph.D. in 1975 from New York University.

Father Ridley’s professional background includes:

  • Regis High School, Latin and English Teacher
  • The Ecumenical Campus Ministry of Baltimore
  • The Maryland Institute College of Art, Adjunct Instructor of Humanities
  • Le Moyne College, Professor of English, Dean and Chief Academic Officer, Professor of English and Department Chair
In addition, Father Ridley’s accomplishments include:
  • Memberships in Phi Beta Kappa, Beta Gamma Sigma, Omi-cron Delta Epsilon (honorary), Alpha Sigma Nu (honorary)
  • Past member of Fordham University’s, Board of Trustees
  • Former member of Saint Peter’s College, Board of Trustees
  • Present member of the Crown Central Petroleum Corpo-ration, Board of Directors
  • Current member of the University of Scranton, Board of Trustees
  • Present Greater Baltimore Committee, Co-Chair on the Pub-lic Outreach Committee on Re-gionalism
  • Past member of the NCAA President’s Commission
  • Past member of the American Council on Education, Government Relations Commission
  • Present member of Loyola High School - Blakefield, Board of Trustees
  • Current member of the College of the Holy Cross, Board of Trustees
  • Past member of the Board of Directors of the American Council on Education

It is evident from Father Ridley’s record of scholastic and academic distinction, along with his managerial acumen, that he takes keen interest in educational and social matters, including community and national affairs.

The remarkable success of Loyola’s extensive international programs has resulted in a very large proportion (33 percent) of its juniors going abroad to study in such places as Alcala, Spain; Bangkok, Thailand; Melbourne, Australia; Leuven, Belgium; Newcastle Upon Tyne, England. These initiatives reflect the wisdom and farsightedness of Fr. Ridley’s desire to enhance the cultural learning experience of his students. He also was instrumental in establishing exchange programs at affiliated universities in Beijing, Florence and Harare.

For his devoted services in the field of education, contributions to internationalization of higher education and promotion of fraternal relations with foreign universities; and, in light of the very cordial and growing relationships between our two institutions, the Assumption University Council, with the concurrence of the Ministry of University Affairs of the Royal Thai Government, is pleased to confer the honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Arts on Rev. Fr. Harold Ridley, S.J., President of the Loyola College in Maryland.

Given in Bangkok, This Twenty-Seventh Day of January, in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand and One

Righteousness

A wise and good man makes righ-teousness the substance of his being; he carries it out with the ritual order. He speaks it with modesty. And he attains it with sincerity-such a man is really good and wise man.

Confucius.

Communication

We shall never be able to remove suspicion and fear as potential causes of war until communication is permitted to flow, free and open, across international boundaries.

Harry S. Truman.
ABAC Today Assumption University, Thailand