Lundy, George F.

WHEELING, WV, Dec. 20, 2011 — Wheeling Jesuit University mourns the death of its former president, the Rev. George F. Lundy, S.J. Lundy served as the sixth president of the University from 2000 – 2003. He passed away early this morning at Tulane Hospital in New Orleans after suffering a stroke last weekend. Former president of Wheeling Jesuit University, Father George F. Lundy, SJ was 64 years old at the time of his death in New Orleans. Lundy had been with the Society of Jesus for 43 years and a priest for 33 years

“We at WJU extend our sympathy to Father Lundy’s mother, the Lundy family and to his Jesuit brothers. We are grateful for the work he did while leading the University and appreciate his selfless service to continue the Catholic Jesuit mission of academic excellence begun in 1954,” said Richard A. Beyer, current WJU president, “Father Lundy was an exceptional Jesuit and he will be missed as a colleague and friend.”

Lundy brought 30 years of professional experience in education to his position as president. During his tenure, Wheeling Jesuit grew in academic quality and innovation. The University added two distance-learning degree programs, which extended the University’s reach into many rural communities, and launched its highly successful Doctorate of Physical Therapy program.

The University also opened the Acker Science Center and initiated the Clifford M. Lewis, S.J. Appalachian Institute. In addition, the University expanded the number of intercollegiate athletic teams, improved campus food services and grew its undergraduate research program.

A Chicago native, Lundy joined the Society of Jesus at 19. He earned a bachelor’s in sociology from Loyola University of New Orleans. Lundy received a Master of Divinity degree from Loyola University of Chicago and a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Chicago.

Before coming to Wheeling Jesuit, Lundy served as the academic vice president and provost of the University of Detroit Mercy from 1995 to July 2000. Lundy served in numerous positions during his academic career, including acting president, interim vice president for academic affairs, senior vice president and dean of faculties. He also served as the director of the Loyola University, New Orleans Institute of Human Relations. During that time, Lundy taught courses with the Institute’s Labor Studies Program.

Most recently, Lundy returned to Loyola University, New Orleans and the Twomey Center in February 2011 to be the director of the Moratorium Campaign, which focused on gaining support from the medical community in an effort to ban capital punishment.