By Sean Mickey, Associate Editor
The St. Bonaventure University Board of Trustees are expected to consider renaming the Administration Building later this year.
The board of trustees voted to remove the name Hopkins Hall at its summer meeting after The Bona Venture revealed its namesake, Msgr. James Hopkins, was credibly accused of sexual abuse.
Some signage bearing the Hopkins name still exists on the campus.
There is no urgency in changing the name and it will not be addressed until the fall board of trustees meeting at the earliest, according to Tom Missel, St. Bonaventure University’s chief communications officer.
It is unclear what criteria the board would use in choosing a new name, but alumni have written dozens of suggestions to The BV. Popular names suggested for consideration include Sr. Margaret Carney, O.S.F., 20th president of St. Bonaventure whose name also resides on the McGinley-Carney Center for Franciscan Ministry, Fr. Mychal Judge, O.F.M., Fr. Dan Riley, O.F.M. and Joe Flanagan, ’74, director of alumni services.
Many of the buildings on campus are named after men who were donors or served in various roles with the university.
Sara Miller, ’99, recommended that the university consider a woman for the honor.
“I think in this case it is important to recognize one of the women leaders in the school’s history, or a woman who has made a lasting impact on the institution or the students,” wrote Miller via email.
Others, such as Christine Cook Fien, ’85, suggested the name Alumni Hall to serve as a “perfect reminder to all who enter how important their connection will be to SBU, long after they leave.”
The Administration Building is undergoing construction to upgrade the admissions welcome area and to install an elevator on the west side of the building. The building, which houses administrative offices, including those of the university president and provost, was closed in late December through early January for asbestos abatement. The renovation project in the admin building is being funded by a donor.
mickeys17@bonaventure.edu
