Biography

Thomas D. Terry, S.J. was the 25th President of Santa Clara University, from 1968-1976. Although he was serving as academic Vice-President at Loyola University when he was selected as Santa Clara’s new president, he was no stranger to the campus. He served as Santa Clara’s Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for five years under President Donohoe. President Terry was left to handle a number of issues facing the university community, including the separate incorporation of the school and the university policy regarding guest speakers who presented ideas that were at odds with Santa Clara tradition and values. He assured the community that Santa Clara’s goal was still to provide an education experience in line with Catholic principles, but that the purpose of allowing controversial speakers was to keep the campus involved with current affairs and global issues. President Terry’s tenure occurred during a time of great civil unrest. In 1969, after two student prefects were fired for violating dormitory visiting hours, seventy students occupied the Dean of Students’ office. The campus closed in the spring of 1970 when Governor Ronald Reagan closed all state-run campuses. Santa Clara was scheduled to stay open, but after students from other universities planned to rally at Santa Clara, a temporary closure was deemed to be a prudent move. Another protest occurred on May 13, 1970, at the president’s annual review of and award ceremony for the ROTC. In 1976, enrollment broke over 7,000 students. Four new buildings were built during Father Terry’s presidency--Bannan Hall, the Leavey Activities Center, the Louis B. Mayer Theater, and the Cowell Health Center. President Terry was forced to resign at the end of the 1975-1976 academic year due to health issues.

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