Wednesday, May 8, 1963 University Daily Kansan
Page 5
No Hat Problem Bothers Priest
By Russ Corbitt
Some men wear several hats, in keeping with the varied roles they play.
Although Father Brendan William Downey, O.S.B., could sport at least four, he wears only one—a black felt Stetson—if any.
Father Downey acts as a teacher, chaplain, adviser, and speaker.
The Benedictine priest was assigned to KU last year after serving four years as president of St. Benedict's College in Atchison.
He is now chaplain of St. Lawrence Catholic Student Center at KU and adviser to the KU Newman Club, an organization of Catholic men and women of college age. He also teaches an introductory religion course in the KU School of Religion.
This would seem to be enough to keep an ordinary man busy, but Father Downey's intellectual pursuits drive him on to other "extracurricular" activities.
These include conducting instruction classes, meeting with the married students' group, serving as religious adviser to Phi Kappa Theta fraternity, and delivering lectures on Catholicism and theology to people of all faiths.
"Of course to keep up on all these subjects, I have to do a lot of reading," he said pointing to the stacks of books and magazines surrounding him.
"However, most of my time is spent in private conferences and instructions here at the Student Center." Father Downey at his home at 1915 Stratford Road. The Student
Center is just across the street
Rev. Brendan William Downey, OSB
"I have delivered lectures on theology in relation to sociology, biology, psychology, and about everything else you can imagine," Father Downey said.
Father Downey was transferred here from St. Benedict's College last year.
"Until last year my life had been wrapped up in St. Benedict's," he said. "It was my home, my family."
Father Downey did his undergraduate study at St. Benedict's, and graduated magna cum laude in 1940 with a major in English and minors in philosophy and French.
Father Downey also did graduate work at Oxford University in England.
He stayed there to do his theological study, being ordained into the Roman Catholic priesthood in 1943.
He began his teaching career in 1944 as an instructor in English at St. Benedict's, and by 1958 had worked
In 1958, he was appointed president of the college.
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"I have always enjoyed teaching because it offers me an opportunity to be in close contact with the students," Father Downey said.
up to the position of associate professor of English.
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tunity for close intellectual contact with people of other faiths." Father Downey said. "I had not had much of an opportunity for this before coming to KU."
"The only unfortunate thing about my years as president was that I did not get to do much teaching, and I lost contact with many of the students as individuals."
A religious course is the only class Father Downey teaches at the University, although he is qualified to teach English.
Although he had to leave his adopted home at St. Benedict's, Father Downey is pleased with his new home and the students at KU.
"I have been jokingly invited to teach some English courses here," he said, "but they knew I did not have the time. Dean Waggoner has even asked me to take over his poetry class several times when he was going to be gone.
"I enjoy KU tremendously, and have found many new friends," he said.
"The administration, from Chancellor Wescoe on down, has been most kind, considerate, and cooperative since I have been here," Father Downey said.
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