Loyola Remembers Rev. Harold Ridley, S.J. --1939-2005
President for over a decade, Fr. Harold 'Hap' Ridley ushered in a new era for LC
Pete Davis and Christina Santucci
Issue date: 1/25/05 Section: News
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His secretary found Ridley early Wednesday morning, but the cause of death has not been determined.
"We are deeply saddened by this sudden news, and our thoughts and prayers are with him, his family, and his many friends," said board of trustee chair John Cochran, an alumnus of the Class of 1973 and chief executive officer of MBNA America Bank.
Ridley was born on June 20, 1939, in Jersey City, N.J. and attended school at Fordham University, Woodstock College and the Union Theological Seminary before going on to receive his Ph.D. in English literature from New York University. He began teaching English and Latin at Regis High School in New York and then went on to teach humanities at the Maryland Institute College of Art from 1967-68.
A year later, Ridley was ordained as a priest in the Roman Catholic Church.
After his time there, Ridley moved on to Le Moyne College, a Jesuit institution in Syracuse, N.Y., where he served as the chair of the English department and a chief academic officer.
At Le Moyne, Ridley had developed a close-knit circle of friends including Genevieve Saya, who has served in various posts at LeMoyne including a vice president position.
Saya described "the great impact he had on so many people ... He will be greatly missed."
Ridley stayed at Le Moyne for over 20 years in these capacities.
Le Moyne College President Rev. Charles Beirne, S.J., spoke of Ridley's warmth and kindness as both a teacher and a human being. Before entering the Jesuits on the same day, Beirne attended high school and the seminary with Ridley.
"[Ridley] was a superb teacher -- very difficult, very demanding," Beirne remembered, adding that Ridley often would begin class with a quote from Shakespeare, which his pupils would then have to identify.
On the advice of a close friend, the Rev. Frank Nash, S.J., Ridley applied for the presidency at Loyola and was offered the job.