Dr. Paul C. Doherty, Director of Lecture Series (1998 - )

In 1998 Dr. Paul C. Doherty took over the directorship of the Humanities/Lowell Lectures from Fr. Francis Sweeney who was at the helm for 41 years. Doherty, a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross and the University of Missouri, is an Associate Professor of English at Boston College. His academic specialty is James Joyce and the early history of the study of “English,” specifically the intertwined academic histories of rhetoric, composition, and literature. Doherty was chair of the English Department twice during the 1970s and 1980s. He also directed the Department’s graduate program from 1983-90.

On assuming the Lecture Series directorship in 1998 Doherty set forth his desired criteria for future lecturers:

We hope to feature speakers who are different, who are inspiring, and who are consistent with the beliefs and causes the University has traditionally espoused.

Even a cursory glance at the names of the speakers Dr. Doherty has invited over the past ten years will reveal that Dr. Doherty has been extremely successful in meeting these criteria.