Over 11% of 116th Congress Are Graduates of Jesuit Universities or High Schools

BY ISN STAFF | January 9, 2018

As the 116th Congress began their work earlier this month over 11% of the members are graduates of Jesuit universities or high schools. Among the 535 members, 63 graduated from Jesuit institutions: 14 in the Senate and 49 in the House of Representatives.

Of the 62 alumni/ae in the 116th U.S. Congress, nine were elected in 2018: Representatives Gil Cisneros (D-CA, M.B.A. Regis University, 2002); Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH, St. Ignatius High School, Cleveland, 2003); Greg Pence (R-IN, B.A. Loyola University Chicago, 1979; M.B.A. Loyola University Chicago, 1983); Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ, J.D. Georgetown University, 2007); Xochitl Torres Small (D-NM, B.A. Georgetown University, 2007); Greg Stanton (D-AZ, B.A. Marquette University, 1992); Bryan Steil (R-WI, B.S. Georgetown University, 2003); Lori Trahan (D-MA, B.A. Georgetown University, 1995); and Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO, Rockhurst High School, 1998).


Twelve Jesuit higher education institutions are currently represented by alumni in the 116th U.S. Congress. Georgetown University has the most with a total of 28, followed by Boston College and Fordham University. Rockhurst High School now has two members of Congress, both in the U.S. Senate, with the election of Senator Hawley as well as Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA). Other Jesuit high schools with graduates in the 116th Congress include: Gonzaga College High School, Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas, Loyola High School of Los Angeles, Regis High School (New York City), Scranton Preparatory School, St. Ignatius High School (Cleveland), Saint Ignatius College Prep (Chicago), and Saint Xavier High School (Cincinnati).

“Jesuit education stresses the ideal of being ‘men and women for others,’ with a particular commitment to the common good and those most vulnerable,” said Christopher Kerr, executive director of the Ignatian Solidarity Network. “We look forward to engaging these members of Congress who have experienced a common mission through Jesuit education on key issues facing society and the Earth.”

Fr. Patrick Conroy, S.J., an alumnus of Gonzaga University, Saint Louis University, the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University and Regis College in Toronto, also continues his service as Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives.

A full list of the members of the 116th Congress who are graduates of Jesuit universities and high schools can be found here.

Information from the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities was utilized in the publication of this story.

2 replies
  1. Diana Spare
    Diana Spare says:

    You should look more carefully at their records before you extol the Congress people who are graduates of Jesuit institutions. As a Missourian, I know first hand that Sen.Josh Hawley (R-MO) does not exemplify Jesuit ideals. He was barely in office as Missouri’s Attorney General when he began his campaign for U.S. Senate, using state-paid staff to do his footwork–information uncovered just last fall by the Kansas City Star newspaper. The state has begun an official investigation. Josh Hawley ran a dirty campaign against then-Senator Claire McCaskill, a campaign based on lies and fear, straight out of Donald Trump’s playbook. Now that he’s in Washington, Josh Hawley refuses to directly answer any questions from Missouri citizens, including newspaper reporters, telling them to contact his office staff.

    Reply
    • Christopher Kerr
      Christopher Kerr says:

      Thanks for your comment Diana. We are not extolling anyone. We look forward to engaging each of these members of Congress in an invitation to live out the values of Jesuit education. Their connection to Jesuit education, rooted in values that are not partisan but Gospel-based, provides a pathway to dialogue with them and their staffs. We think that is a good thing.

      Reply

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