Published: May 2009
In the preface to Echoes of a University President: Selected Speeches (Linden Lane Press, 2008), a 300-page volume containing speeches he delivered between 1975 and 2005, J. Donald Monan, SJ, writes, “Throughout the 24 years [1972-96] I served as president of Boston College . . . I looked upon public speaking or oral communication to all manner of groups as one of my most important and, if truth be told, enjoyable responsibilities. But if delivering talks was enjoyable, composing them was not.” He spoke about his choice to write his own speeches and read excerpts at the downtown Boston College Club on May 6. At a reception after the talk, Monan (center) signed copies of the book, which is available online via the Boston College Bookstore.