Information courtesy of Franciscan University and the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis:
Saint Francis and Franciscan Universities are mourning the death of former Franciscan President Father Terence Henry, TOR. Father Terry served as Franciscan’s fifth president from 2000-13. He died on March 14. He was 77 years old.
Prior to his tenure as president at Franciscan, Father Terry served in several different roles at Saint Francis.
During his 13 years as president at Franciscan, Father Terry guided that university through a period of significant growth in enrollment, academics, campus life and national visibility.
“Father Terry loved education and believed educating young people is one of the greatest gifts we have to offer them,” said Franciscan President Father Dave Pivonka, TOR.
“From the time when he was a high school history teacher, principal of a high school, and eventually president of Franciscan University, Father Terry loved his students and this was expressed with an enthusiastic vigor that was authentic and a blessing to all.”
Father Terry succeeded Father Michael Scanlan, TOR, who had served as Franciscan’s president for 26 years.
“Following the tenure of Father Mike Scanlan, many wondered if the University could be led by someone other than Father Scanlan, without that person either trying to emulate him or trying to run from the shadow he cast,” said Franciscan Senior Vice President Brenan Pergi.
“Father Terry did neither. He treated the University as a treasure that had been entrusted to him.”
Under Father Terry’s leadership, the University expanded its campus footprint, added new residence halls and facilities, and welcomed hundreds more students while maintaining its commitment to Catholic scholarship.
Franciscan reintroduced intercollegiate athletics during his presidency, joining NCAA Division III in 2007.
Father Terry also guided Franciscan through cultural and political challenges facing Catholic institutions. He was a staunch advocate of religious liberty and the dignity of human life.
“He was deeply concerned about the secularization of our culture and believed that graduating educated young people, alive in their faith, was of vital importance,” said Father Pivonka.
Father Terry was a native of Philadelphia. After graduating from high school, he attended Saint Francis, earning a bachelor’s degree in history in 1971. He was ordained into the priesthood in 1976.
Father Terry earned two master’s degrees, one from Saint Francis Seminary and another from Indiana State.
After his ordination, Father Terry taught history at Bishop Egan High School in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania, for 16 years. He spent one year as that school’s principal and was its first president after Bishop Egan merged with Bishop Conwell High School in 1993.
He then served as Postulant Director at Saint Bonaventure Friary and taught history at Saint Francis before taking over as president at Franciscan in 2000.
Father Terry served on SFU’s Board of Trustees during his time as president at Franciscan. He returned to Saint Francis and taught history courses at SFU following his tenure at Franciscan. He retired in 2018.
