Presidents of the College of the Holy Cross:
Rev. Francis J. Dolan, S.J.
Twenty-third President of Holy Cross
1933 - 1939
Francis J. Dolan was born on July 14, 1893 in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. Educated in the Jesuit schools of Boston College High School and Boston College, he entered the Society of Jesus on September 8, 1912.
After classical and philosophical studies at Woodstock College, MD he taught Classics at Loyola College, Baltimore for two years, 1919 to 1920, and then taught at Holy Cross for the next three years, 1921 to 1923. Returning to Woodstock he pursued his theological studies and was ordained a priest in 1926.
His first appointment was Dean of Freshmen at Boston College and Professor of Natural Theology in the Graduate School. He served in this capacity until his transfer in 1930 to Holy Cross to serve as Dean of Studies. In 1933, he was appointed President of Holy Cross. During his regime he finished Kimball Hall, started under Father Fox, and began construction of the dormitory building, Wheeler Hall.
His sudden death after a minor operation was a shock to all. He died in St. Vincent's Hospital, Worcester, on September 6, 1939. He is buried in the Holy Cross Jesuit Cemetery.