Title

Michael J. Graham interview (session 5)

Authors

Michael James Graham

Interviewer

Anne Ryckbost

Interview Date

5-14-2021

Keywords

Michael James Graham, Xavier University (Cincinnati, Ohio), College sports, Atlantic-10, Big East, Catholic universities and colleges, Administration, Enrollment, COVID-19 (Disease), COVID-19 Task Force, Remote learning, Distance education, Crisis management

Interview Location

Cincinnati (Ohio)

Summary

Xavier University's thirty-fourth Jesuit president Rev. Michael J. Graham, SJ, was born March 9, 1953 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In 1975 he received a BA in psychology and philosophy from Cornell College, Mount Vernon, Iowa. In 1983 he received a MA in psychology and PhD in American Studies both from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. He entered the Society of Jesus while at the University of Michigan and was ordained in 1988. Prior to his appointment as president he held several academic and administrative positions at Xavier University. Father Graham retired as president in 2021.

In this interview, Graham discusses the development of athletics and Xavier’s transition from the Atlantic 10 (A-10) to the Big East. He describes the impact of this change on recruitment and enrollment. He then talks about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the university’s operations and people. He describes his personal challenges during the onset of the pandemic. He also talks about the various strategies Xavier employed to address many of the financial, academic, and personnel issues that arose, specifically describing the work of the COVID-19 Task Force. The interview concludes with a discussion about the potential lasting effects of the pandemic.

Language

English

Duration

00:47:51

Format

audio/mp3

Type

Sound

Item Identifier

xuaoh2021_001_xu011_05_graham_access

Collection

Xavier University Oral History Collection

Repository

University Archives and Special Collections, Xavier University Library, Cincinnati, Ohio

Recommended Citation

Michael J. Graham interview, May 14, 2021, XUAOH2021-001-XU011-05, Xavier University Oral History Collection, University Archives and Special Collections, Xavier University Library, Cincinnati, Ohio

Rights

Copyright belongs to Xavier University (Cincinnati, Ohio). The interview may be used by individuals or libraries for personal use, research, teaching or any 'fair use' as defined by copyright law. Permission to reproduce materials in this collection for publication or distribution must be obtained from Xavier University Archives and Special Collections.