May 8, 1998

Dan Sheridan to leave Loyola for St. Joseph College

Daniel P. Sheridan has resigned from his position as associate provost for academic affairs and professor of religious studies, effective July 31. After 16 years of holding both academic and administrative positions at Loyola, Sheridan will take the position of vice president of academic affairs at St. Joseph’s College in Portland, Maine.

As associate provost, Sheridan advised the provost and vice president of academic affairs, oversaw university/academic planning, and supervised the Office of Admissions and the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.

In announcing his plan to leave, Sheridan said, “My wife, Mary Ann, and I have served the students of Loyola for 16 years. They have been wonderful years. We put our hearts and souls into serving the university. But the students and the university also gave us back a great deal.”

Sheridan, who joined the Loyola community in 1982, is a respected scholar in history of religions, particularly the religious traditions of India which were expressed in the Sanskrit language, Hinduism and Buddhism. As an associate professor of religious studies, Sheridan’s teaching and leadership abilities helped him serve the university. From 1986-89, he chaired the religious studies department, and in 1991, he was promoted to professor. That same year, he was named assistant dean of the College of Arts and Sciences for Summer Programs, and in 1994, he became assistant vice president for academic affairs. In 1996, he was named associate provost.

On announcing Sheridan’s departure, Provost David C. Danahar said, “Loyola is losing one its most dedicated members. It has been a pleasure for me to work along side him and I wish him well on this new endeavor. He brings to St. Joseph and his new position, proven talent, considerable experience, and an established record of success.”

In addition to teaching, Sheridan’s dedication to Loyola and his ability to get things done are widely regarded. During his tenure, he has been active in improving the university, having served on the university planning team, enrollment management committee, financial aid committee, the self-study, university budget committee, women studies advisory committee, and the university senate. He chaired the president’s inaugural committee, the university senate, the graduate council, and the academic computing advisory committee.

A recognized scholar, Sheridan published more than 30 articles in such scholarly journals as Studies in Formative Spirituality, Indian Philosophical Annual, Horizons, Journal of Religious Pluralism, Current Issues in Catholic Higher Education, and the Journal of Religious Studies. He also presented more than 50 papers before learned societies. A sought-after authority on the history of religions, Sheridan participated in nearly two dozen panels and symposiums. In 1986, he published a book, The Advaitic Theism of the Bhagavata Purana.

In addition to the contributions Sheridan made to Loyola, his commitment to lecturing in the New Orleans community and throughout the country on religious topics is impressive. He delivers 10 or more lectures each year in New Orleans and recently coordinated workshops on such topics as Teaching Islam in the College Classroom, The College Curriculum in the Age of Ecology, and Teaching Spirituality: Women and Men Collaborating.

Sheridan received his doctorate in history of religions in 1976 from Fordham University, a master of arts degree in biblical studies in 1971 from St. John University, and bachelor of arts degree from Passionist Monastic Seminary in Jamaica, N.Y.

–Angela R. Anthony, Assistant Director Public Affairs