Alphonsus J. Donlon | |
|---|---|
 Alphonsus J. Donlon in 1912 | |
| 36th President of Georgetown University | |
| In office 1912–1918 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph J. Himmel |
| Succeeded by | John B. Creeden |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 30, 1867 Albany, New York, U.S. |
| Died | September 3, 1923 (aged 55) Tarrytown, New York, U.S. |
| Resting place | Fordham University Cemetery |
| Alma mater | |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | June 28, 1903 by James Gibbons |
Alphonsus J. Donlon SJ (October 30, 1867 – September 3, 1923) was an American Catholic priest and Jesuit who spent his career in priestly ministry and academia, including as president of Georgetown University from 1912 to 1918. Born in Albany, New York, he garnered a reputation as a good student and an exceptional collegiate athlete. As a professor, he went on to lead Georgetown University's sports program, which enjoyed great success. As a result, he became known as the "father of Georgetown athletics."
Donlon served as a professor of various sciences at Georgetown University and at Woodstock College, and as president of the former, he oversaw the removal of Georgetown Preparatory School from the university to a separate campus, and proposed the creation of the School of Foreign Service. For a significant portion of his career, he also served as a chaplain to Georgetown Visitation Monastery. In his later years, he engaged in pastoral work at St. Francis Xavier Church in New York City and taught at Fordham University.