An endowed academic chair in economics will honor the extraordinary career of one of Boston College's popular and most influential administrators, Rev. William B. Neenan, SJ. The William B. Neenan, SJ Millennium Chair in Economics has been established by Margaret A. and Thomas A. Vanderslice '53, Hon. '03. The chair will commemorate the long-serving Jesuit who, in the words of Tom Vanderslice, "is the soul of the University."
The inaugural holder of the Neenan Chair will be Prof. James E. Anderson of the Department of Economics. This is the first endowed chair for the Department. Anderson will receive the chair in a celebratory event on October 6.
Fr. Neenan holds a Ph.D. in Economics from The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and served on the faculty of that institution. He first came to Boston College's Department of Economics as the inaugural holder of the Gasson Chair in 1979. He remained at Boston College, serving as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1980-1987 and Academic Vice President and Dean of Faculties for 1987-1998. Since that time, he has been Vice President and Assistant to the President, and has played an active role in the University's capital campaigns.
"Fr. Neenan is a revered member of the Boston College community," said Tom Vanderslice. "It is only fitting that he be honored by a chair. In perpetuity, as long as Boston College is in existence, Fr. Neenan's name and contributions will be remembered. An endowed chair is forever."
"I am very grateful to Peggy and Tom Vanderslice for their great generosity toward Boston College," Fr. Neenan said, "and for their personal friendship for me, which really means a lot. As a young Jesuit--just ordained and beginning my Ph.D. work in economics, I never in my wildest dreams would have thought--even vaguely--that my name would be associated with Boston College's economics department in such a positive way. I am extremely gratified by that association and very proud of the strength of the Economics Department at Boston College."
Anderson, a 1969 recipient of the Ph.D. from University of Wisconsin-Madison, has spent his entire professional career on the Boston College faculty. This semester, he is a visiting scholar at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Anderson said "I am very grateful for the recognition of my professional accomplishments which the Neenan Chair represents. I am even more grateful to Boston College for having provided me with the supportive environment over the years which enabled me to do the work deemed worthy of this recognition."