We sadly note the passing of our esteemed colleague Rev. William B. Neenan, SJ, on 25 June at the age of 85. Bill Neenan was a Professor of Economics and the inaugural holder of the first endowed chair at Boston College, the Gasson Professorship, in 1979. He then was appointed Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, holding that position for eight years, before being named the University's Academic Vice President and Dean of Faculties. Bill served in that key position from 1987-1998, a time of marked growth and change at Boston College. Since that time, he served as Vice President and Special Assistant to the President, playing a key role in academic planning and University development. Bill served Boston College for 35 years, and was a beloved figure on campus.
Bill Neenan was a scholar of public finance, receiving the A.B. and M.A. in economics from St. Louis University and the doctorate in economics from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. He served on the U-M faculty from 1967-1979. He was ordained in the Society of Jesus in 1961. Boston College presented Bill with a honorary degree in 2008. The first endowed chair in the Department of Economics, the William B. Neenan, SJ Millennium Chair in Economics, was established by Margaret and Thomas Vanderslice in 2004, citing Bill as "the soul of the University." The Neenan Chair is held by Prof. James E. Anderson.
Bill Neenan exemplified the University's motto, Ever to Excel. All of us on the Heights mourn his passing.
29 June 2014