Rectors of Saint Joseph University of Beirut

                                     
Member of the Society of Jesus, a lawyer by training and holding a PhD in political science from University Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne, Prof. François Boëdec SJ has long been an attentive observer of the modern democratic debate issues as well as the evolution of international relations and the Middle East. He is especially recognized for his work on the political challenges related to the control of water resources in the Middle East. His career has been distinguished by high-level positions within the Jesuit higher education and the Society of Jesus. He has served as Rector of Facultés Loyola Paris, Provincial Superior of the Province of the Francophone Western Europe, member of the USJ Board of Trustees, and, since 2024, he has held the position of USJ Vice-Rector and Delegate of the Rector for Human Resources.
Born in Bouar (Kesrouan) in 1950, he joined the Jesuit order in 1975 and was ordained as a priest in 1983. Holding two doctorates, one in Philosophy from Sorbonne and another in Education Sciences from Strasbourg, he has been Deputy Director of Dar al-Machreq and editor in chief of the al-Machreq journal since 1984. He has served as Professor in various institutions at USJ since 1985, Rector of Collège Notre Dame de Jamhour (1991-2008), Dean of the Faculty of Religious Studies (2008-2012), and Rector of the University. Beyond his academic responsibilities, he serves as Director of the Jesuit college in Tanail, member of the Council of Jesuit schools in the Bekaa Valley, and Vice-President of the committee of the Bible Society Lebanon-Syria. Additionally, he is President of the Universities Association of Lebanon, and President of the Regional Conference of Francophone University Rectors in the Middle-East. Among his publications are “Pluralisme, vivre-ensemble et citoyenneté au Liban: le salut vient-il de l'école?” (L'Harmattan and PUSJ, 2013) and “Le problème de la Création du monde dans le Kalam musulman de Abu Mansur al Maturidi” (USJ, 2009).
Born in Lyon in 1936, he joined the Jesuit order in 1956. After obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in French-Latin-Greek in Paris in 1959, he pursued further studies in philosophy and theology in Chantilly and Lyon, eventually specializing in sociology and earning a PhD. In 1969, he settled permanently in Lebanon, where he initially directed the journal Travaux et Jours and played a crucial role in establishing the new Faculty of Humanities. Throughout his career, he held various academic and administrative positions within the Faculty before becoming Dean (1995-2000). Subsequently, he served as Vice-Rector for the Human Resources Office (2000-2003), then Rector of the University, and later Manager of the Research and Development Company. His publications are particularly dedicated to documenting the Lebanese Civil War, including works such as “Chronique d'une guerre: le Liban, 1975-1977" (Desclée, 1978) and "D'un plan de sécurité à l'autre: Le temps des milices...”
Born in Beirut in 1928, he joined the Jesuit order in 1946. In 1961, he earned a PhD in Humanities. Between 1977 and 1992, he served as Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, which he helped establish, before becoming Rector of the University from 1995 to 2003. From 1993 to 1999, he served as the coordinator of the "Cultures, Languages, and Development" network of the AUPELF/UREF. He has held visiting professorships at various institutions, including the Collège de France, and received the “Grand Prize for the Promotion of the French Language” from the French Academy. He is the Director of the Saint Joseph University Press (PUSJ) and holds the Louis D. Chair of Intercultural Anthropology at the Institut de France. He is the author of numerous works, including “Les Mbyas Guaranis: Le Temps de la Reconnaissance” (PUSJ, 2012) and “De l'identité et du sens: La mondialisation de l'angoisse identitaire et sa signification plurielle” (Perrin-PUSJ, 2009).
Originally from Bourg-en-Bresse, Jean Ducruet was born on February 25, 1922. At the age of twenty, he joined the novitiate of the Society of Jesus at Mongré in November 1942. From 1943 to 1945, he was requisitioned for compulsory labor service in Germany. Afterwards, he resumed his studies, and between 1948 and 1950, he studied Arabic in Bikfaya. Ordained as a priest in Lyon on July 31, 1956, he took his final vows in Vanves on August 15, 1960. Settling in Lebanon that same year, he served as a Professor of economics from 1963 to 1975 and then as Chancellor of the Faculty of Law and Economics at the Saint Joseph University. From 1975 to 1995, he served as Rector of the University.
Originally from Beirut, he joined the Jesuit order in 1932 and was ordained as a priest in 1944. He served as Director of the Oriental Seminary (1942-1945 and 1960-1967), professor of dogmatic theology at USJ (1948-1971), Director of the Catholic Printing Press (1952-1955), Rector of Collège Notre Dame de Jamhour (1955-1960), Prefect of Studies and Dean of the Faculty of Religious Studies at USJ, Superior of the Jesuits in Lebanon (1971-1977), Rector of the University, Superior in Bikfaya (1977-1980), Director of Jesuit schools in the Bekaa, and responsible for the management of the Tanail Domain in 1980.
Originally from Bikfaya, he joined the Jesuit order in 1935 and was ordained as a priest in 1945. He served as Prefect of Arabic Studies at the Petit Séminaire de Ghazir before becoming its Rector. Additionally, he was appointed as the first provincial of the new Vice-Province of the Near East in 1957. Subsequently, he became Rector of USJ, followed by roles as Regional Superior of the Society of Jesus in Lebanon (1968-1972), Superior of the community in Jamhour (1977-1983), and Superior in Bikfaya (1983-1989).
Originally from Lyon, he joined the Jesuit order in 1918 and was ordained as a priest in 1933. His apostolic life was entirely devoted to Lebanon. He initially taught literature at Collège Saint-Joseph before becoming its Prefect (1934-1945). Subsequently, he served as Director of the Cercle de la Jeunesse Catholique de Beyrouth (1945-1948), followed by roles as Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Medicine (1948-1953), Chancellor of the School of Engineering (1953-1965 and 1966-1974), Rector of the University, and procurator of Collège Notre Dame de Jamhour until he lost his life to the war.
French by nationality, he joined the Jesuit order in 1908 and was ordained as a priest in 1923. Spending time in the East between 1951 and 1961, he held significant roles, including Rector of the theological scholasticate from 1930 to 1937 and again from 1943 to 1949. He was then appointed as Rector of the University and College in Lebanon concurrently until 1953. Under his leadership, the position of Rector of USJ gained greater academic prominence and visibility. He concluded his service as a spiritual father at Jamhour from 1958 to 1961 before being recalled to France.
Originally from Marseille, he joined the Jesuit order in 1917 and was ordained as a priest in 1931. Serving as a Regent in Beirut between 1921 and 1924, he studied Arabic in Bikfaya (1924-1925). Later, he served as Director of the Cercle de la Jeunesse Catholique d’Alep (1932-1934 and 1935-1945). He then became Superior of the Residence from 1937 onwards before assuming the role of Rector of the University. Additionally, he briefly served as Administrator of the Apostolic Vicariate of Aleppo (1947-1949) alongside his responsibilities as Rector.
Originally from Grenoble, he joined the Jesuit order in 1920 and was ordained as a priest in 1935. Serving as Rector of the University, he later assumed the role of Provincial (1945-1951). He oversaw the construction of the Collège Notre Dame de Jamhour and held leadership positions in Beyrouth, Tanail, Jamhour, and Saint-Grégoire. Recognized for his contributions, he received several awards, including the Legion of Honor, the National Order of the Cedar, and the Polish Cross of Merit.
Originally from Savoy, he joined the Jesuit order in 1903 and was ordained as a priest in 1917. Settling permanently in Beirut in 1922 after serving as a scholastic in residence from 1910 to 1913, he assumed various significant roles. These included Director of the Oriental Seminary (1925-1947), Superior of the Jesuit Mission (1933-1936), and Rector of the University. Later in his career, he served as a spiritual father at the Petit Séminaire de Ghazir (1947-1960). Much of his life was dedicated to the formation of priests, particularly for Lebanon and Syria. He eventually passed away in Beirut.
French by nationality, he joined the Jesuit order in 1895, and spent a total of 8 years in the Near East. Between 1904 and 1906, he taught humanities and rhetoric at the College of Alexandria. From 1930 to 1936, he served as Rector of the University in Beirut. Additionally, he held significant roles such as Rector of the theological scholasticate from 1919 to 1924, Provincial of Lyon from 1924 to 1930, and Novice Master from 1936 to 1942. He eventually passed away in Annecy.
Originally from Seine-et-Marne, he spent his youth in Algeria. He joined the Jesuit Mission in 1907 and was ordained as a priest in 1923. He served as Director of the Cercle de la Jeunesse Catholique de Beyrouth (1925-1927). Later, he held various significant positions, including Rector of the University, Provincial of Lyon (1930-1936), Superior of the Jesuit Mission in Syria (1936-1937), the Jesuit Mission in the Near East (1937-1939), and the Vice-Province of the Near East (1939-1949). He also served as Rector of the College of Cairo (1945-1947), where he eventually passed away.
French by nationality, he joined the Jesuit order in 1888, and was ordained as a priest in 1897. Serving as Prefect of the College of Alexandria (1903-1905) and Provincial of Lyon (1912-1918), he played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Faculties of Law and Engineering. As Superior of the Jesuit Mission (1918-1921 and 1927-1933), he concurrently held the position of Rector of the University, and later served as Superior and Chancellor of the Faculty of Medicine for many years (1927-1942). Additionally, he founded the Alawite Mission. He spent his final years in Cairo, where he eventually passed away.
French by nationality, he joined the Jesuit order in 1866 and spent a total of 18 years in the Middle East. From 1884 to 1890, he served as Vice-Rector of the College of Cairo and Director of the Coptic Seminary. From 1890 to 1895, he served as Vice-Rector and Master of Novices in Ghazir, before becoming Rector of the College of Alexandria from 1895 to 1898. Assuming the role of Rector of USJ in August 1910, he was later expelled by the Ottoman authorities in November 1914.
French by nationality, he joined the Jesuit order in 1878. Spending a brief period in the Middle East, he served as Rector of the University and Chancellor of the new Oriental Faculty. He played a pivotal role in formulating the new regulations for the Oriental Library. Returning to France, he notably coordinated spiritual retreats for clergy. He eventually passed away in Lyon.
French by nationality, he joined the Jesuit order in 1873 and was ordained as a priest in 1882. Spending fifteen years in the Middle East, eleven of which were in Ghazir, he held several key positions. He served as Prefect of Studies and a teacher at the Juvénat (1890-1894), then as Rector and Master of Novices (1895-1901) before becoming Rector of the University. He spent his final years in Algeria.
Swiss by nationality, he joined the Jesuit order in 1868 and was ordained as a priest in 1882. Throughout his career, he served in various significant roles, including three terms as Rector of the University, Prefect of the College of Beirut (1885-1886), Rector of the College of Alexandria (1887-1895), and Superior of the Jesuit Mission (1901-1907) and Tanail (1925-1929), where he eventually passed away. The pinnacle of his achievements was his contribution to the Faculty of Medicine, of which he served as Chancellor from 1895 to 1913 and again from 1921 to 1923. He oversaw the construction of its new campus on Damascus Road and played a crucial role in the establishment of the Hôtel-Dieu de France Hospital.
Born in Alexandria to a Maronite family originally from Lebanon, he studied in France and at the Seminary of Ghazir. He joined the Jesuit order in 1866 and was ordained as a priest in 1881. Teaching Arabic and classical studies in Alexandria and Beirut, he later became the first “Oriental” Rector of the University before serving as the Rector of the College of Cairo and the Superior of the residence in Aleppo. Highly respected for his eloquence in Arabic, French, and English, he made a significant mark with his language skills.
French by nationality, he joined the Jesuit order in 1852 and was ordained as a priest in 1865. He served as the spiritual mentor to the newly-founded White Fathers in Algeria between 1871 and 1875, drawing the attention of Bishop Lavigerie. Though he served as the Rector of the University in the East for only three years, his influence was significant. He eventually passed away in France in 1922.
Originally from Avignon, he joined the Jesuit order in 1862 and was ordained as a priest in 1876. He settled in Beirut to study Arabic, and assumed the role of Rector in 1881, coinciding with the establishment of the Faculties of Religious Studies and Medicine. Later, he moved to Aleppo and then Homs, where he continued his Arabic lessons while serving in various capacities. His unwavering dedication was evident during the devastating cholera epidemic of 1891. He eventually passed away in Beirut.
Originally from Drôme, he joined the Jesuit order in 1851 and acquired proficiency in Arabic through two stays in Algeria. He arrived in Beirut in 1861 and remained in the East until his passing. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Residence of Damascus in 1872. As the Superior of the Jesuit Mission in Syria (1876-1887), he co-founded the Jesuit Mission in Egypt, overseeing the establishment of its seminary for clergy formation, along with two colleges in Cairo and Alexandria, and the Jesuit Mission in Armenia. His leadership was also crucial in founding the Faculty of Medicine at USJ.
Originally from Drôme, he joined the Society of Jesus in 1865. By 1868, he had arrived in Beirut, serving as a regent at the College, where he leaned Arabic. Ordained as a priest in 1875, he returned to Beirut the following year to assume the role of Rector at the Saint Joseph University. Alongside his academic responsibilities, he took on the role of General Director for the Sisters of the Sacred Hearts, involving travel to various regions, including Saida, Damascus, Bikfaya, Zahlé, and Aleppo. Known for his dedication, he became a confidant to many. In fact, “few Fathers have heard as many confessions as he did, even during his tenure as University Rector”.