A Letter from President Bob Ryan

Over the last year, I’ve had the unique opportunity of hearing from more than 2,000 members of the community whose perspectives, experiences, and histories varied, but whose deep affection for Brophy and our Jesuit mission was both humbling and inspiring. This feedback only deepened the conviction that I shared last August upon becoming missioned as president — Brophy matters. As we look to the future, I am convinced that the mission we share will only become more and more important and so, in this year’s President’s Report, I am excited to introduce Pursuing the Magis, a strategic framework that will guide our efforts toward Brophy’s centennial in 2028 and into our second century of existence. 

The Magis is one of the most popular, yet often misunderstood, phrases in Jesuit parlance. Too often, the Magis is interpreted literally and becomes justification for doing more. Yet, the Jesuit understanding of this phrase is more qualitative than quantitative; it is derived from their unofficial motto Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, For the Greater Glory of God. In pursuing the Magis as we look to Brophy’s future, we are not pursuing more of anything. Rather, our future efforts will be considered through the lens of how we can live Brophy’s Jesuit mission more fully, with more depth and with greater impact. 

In the following pages, you will find our revised statements of mission and philosophy as well as the four strategic priorities which will be the bedrock of this vision for Brophy’s future: To manifest God’s love for the world by promoting human flourishing within a community of faith and hope that forms leaders in service who are strengthened by a brotherhood that lasts a lifetime. 

We are now in the process of developing the set of strategic initiatives that will animate this vision in the coming years. In order to ensure that our physical plant and our facilities can accommodate our future aspirations, we are engaged in a campus master planning process with the architectural firm Orcutt Winslow. I look forward to sharing the fruits of these efforts in the coming months. 

Finally, this issue of the President’s Report also provides us the opportunity to thank, by name, everyone who supported Brophy with a donation during our most recent fiscal year. Additionally, we feature Dorothy Dunnion, longtime Brophy faculty member and theater director whose generous support and distinguished tenure is now memorialized in the Dorothy Dunnion Lobby of the Black Box Theater.

In gratitude,