A former leader of Xavier University has died.
Rev. Charles L. Currie died Jan. 4 after a recent illness, according to a report from the Association of Jesuit Colleges & Universities. He was 88 years old.
Currie was president at Xavier from 1982 to 1985 before becoming president of AJCU in 1997. He held that role until 2011.
Currie led Georgetown University in its response to the 1989 murders of six Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter along with trips to University of Central America to inform the U.S. Congress on developments in the case. His efforts there led to the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice that brings nearly 2,000 students, faculty and staff from Jesuit institutions to Washington, D.C., each fall for a training effort to honor those martyrs.
During his time at AJCU, Currie oversaw the first Jesuit distance education network, strengthened relationships with Congress, created the Jesuit Leadership Seminar and coordinated a response to Hurricane Katrina to aid displaced Loyola University students.
After retiring from AJCU, Currie became executive director of Jesuit Commons, which provides online education to students in refugee camps through Regis University and Creighton University.
“Charlie spotted the potential in people,” AJCU president Rev. Michael Sheeran said in a statement. “He saw the good that you longed to do but feared you couldn’t achieve. Then, he let you know he believed in you and was counting on you. Whether you were a politician, an office staff member or a fellow Jesuit, Charlie’s confidence in you made all the difference.”
A wake to honor Currie will be held 3-5 and 7-9 p.m. on Friday at the Wolfington Jesuit community at Georgetown. A vigil service will follow at 7:30 p,m., while the funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Washington, D.C., which will be preceded by a viewing at 9:30 a.m.