With the departure of Fr. Stephen Planning, SJ, this upcoming year, Fr. Joseph E. Lingan, SJ, will take the mantle of the new president of Gonzaga College High School.
As an alumnus of Gonzaga College High School, Fr. Lingan worked tirelessly after graduating to become a Jesuit. Fr. Lingan comes from a deep background of theological education. In Cambridge, Mass., he attended Weston School of Theology before going on to study at Saint Louis University, Creighton and finally Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.
Fr. Lingan, throughout the years, has been an active member of the Gonzaga community. He was a member of the board of associates from 2000-08.
When asked to serve as interim president in 2011, Fr. Lignan said, “I did not hesitate, absolutely yes.”
He served as a member of the Georgetown Jesuit Community from 2011-19 before moving to Atlanta to serve as a minister in the Ignatian House Jesuit Center. Coming From Georgetown’s Jesuit community, which now Fr. Planning will be joining, Fr. Lingan has established a deep connection with the DMV.
“When I came here, I just loved it as a student, and I was just thrilled as a teacher to come back. I so enjoyed not only being a colleague with what were some of my teachers at the time, [and] I enjoyed meeting the wonderful group of men here through the students,” said Fr. Lingan regarding his previous time at Gonzaga.
Fr. Lingan’s image of the Gonzaga community is to create a community “based around the Gonzaga Spirit. There’s something about the Gonzaga Spirit that is infectious and maybe it is my own biases; the spirit here and the dedication of the alumni and parents is something truly special.”
Even though he described himself as an average student, his emphasis on the importance of education is truly remarkable.
“I have truly come to appreciate and value education as being crucially important both for our advancement, but also cultural and civic advancement,” Fr. Lingan said, regarding how vital education is—especially in our world today.
Fr. Lingan has the skills to fulfill both the spiritual and social elements of being president of the Gonzaga community. His involvement and commitment to doing good have been especially noted. Through his work as a theologian and his great educational background, Fr. Lingan will most certainly “fit in” with the Gonzaga community and spirit of being men for and with others.
Carol Corgan • Jun 4, 2021 at 8:48 am
Nice piece, Spencer!