Fourteenth Provincial of Region, 2003-2009
Thomas J. Regan was born on April 13, 1954 in Waltham, MA to John C. and Sarah P. (Corbett) Regan. He graduated from Waltham High School in 1972. He received his A.B. degree in history and philosophy from Boston College in May, 1976 and entered the Society of Jesus at Saint Andrew House on 300 Newbury Street, Boston, MA in August, 1976 for two years of novitiate. Following first vows on September 2, 1978, he began doctoral work at Fordham University, NY. He received a M.A. in philosophy in 1982 and a Ph.D. in 1984. While a student at Fordham, he also taught religious studies at Fordham Prep from 1979 to 1980. In 1980, while continuing to study at Fordham, he moved to Fairfield University, in Fairfield, CT, where he taught philosophy from 1980-1984. In the Fall of 1984 he began theological studies at Weston School of Theology in Cambridge. He received the M.Div. in 1987. While studying theology, he taught philosophy at Boston College, MA from 1985-1987. He was ordained a priest in June of 1987 and did a pastoral summer at Saint Ignatius Parish in Chestnut Hill, MA. In October of 1987, he moved to London, England where he did his fourth year of theological study. He completed a post graduate diploma in pastoral theology at Heythrop College, University of London, UK in 1988 and throughout the year served as a priest at Sacred Heart Church in Eden Grove. Returning to the United States, Rev. Regan was appointed assistant professor of philosophy at Fairfield University. In 1993, he received tenure and was promoted to associate professor. He served as acting chair (1992-1993) and then chair of the Philosophy Department (1993-2000) and co-director of the program in Legal Studies from 1996-2000. From 2000-2002, he was associate dean in the College of Arts and Sciences. In September of 2001, he returned to the Philosophy Department and was named co-director of the Ignatian Residential College.
In 2003, Father Regan was appointed Provincial of the New England Province. He served until 2009.