A council of professors and faculty members at Loyola University Maryland recently appointed Father James Miracky as the new dean of Loyola College of Arts and Sciences for the 2010-2011 academic year. There were several candidates up for the position, and the decision was ultimately made by Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Timothy Law Snyder. Fr. Miracky comes to Loyola from the College of the Holy Cross where he worked as a professor since 1996 and served as associate dean for faculty development since 2006.

The current dean, Dr. James Buckley, decided last year to step down in order to teach. Professor of English Dr. Juniper Ellis chaired the committee along with 15 other members of the Loyola community. “I told Jim Buckley that it would be very hard to fill his shoes,” Dr. Ellis said. “Dean Buckley is stepping down and turning things over to a new dean when the college is really in a position of strength. It was a very generous move for him to make.”

Another member of the committee, Associate Director or Student Life Michael Puma, discussed Fr. Miracky’s expectations for the future. “I hope that Father Miracky will be able to support a wide array of campus initiatives – but mainly to be a support for faculty in their research, teaching and service work on campus,” Puma said. Fr. Miracky will play a major role in helping the university achieve its goals.

With an applicant pool that the committee described as “competitive,” they say Fr. Miracky stood out. Dr. Mary Jo Coiro, clinical assistant professor of psychology and psychology division director of the Clinical Centers, commented on how he surpassed the other candidates. “Fr. Miracky brings many outstanding qualities to the position of Dean, perhaps most notably his ability to articulate and advocate for Loyola's Jesuit mission, and his experience in faculty development,” she said. As a new member to the Loyola community, Fr. Miracky will be working closely with students as well. “I think the students will find Fr. Miracky to be approachable, accessible, a good listener, and a thoughtful caring counselor,” said Assistant Vice President for Human Resources George Casey.

Fr. Miracky will assume his position at Loyola starting on July 1, 2010. Dr. Ellis expressed how important Fr. Miracky's presence is. She said that the Loyola College of Arts and Sciences “is at the heart of Loyola University," she said. "So Fr. Miracky will play a central role in helping advocate for our school and our entire University."