University of Dallas

Have you ever heard of a university founded by a group of Hungarian Cistercian monks? It might sound unusual, but that’s the story of the University of Dallas. Right before your eyes stands this institution, situated on a sprawling campus in Irving, Texas. It all began in 1956. The Sisters of St. Mary of Namur obtained the charter for a new university and encouraged Bishop Thomas K. Gorman to have the diocese assume sponsorship. Bishop Gorman announced that the University of Dallas would be a four-year coeducational institution welcoming students of all faiths and races, with a graduate school to be added as soon as practicable. The first president, F. Kenneth Brasted, served until 1959. The second, Robert Morris, from 1960-62. The third, Donald A. Cowan, from 1962-77. The fourth president, John Sommerfeldt, served from 1978-80; the fifth, Robert F. Sasseen, from 1981-95; the sixth, Monsignor Milam J. Joseph, from 1996-2003. Francis Lazarus served as president from 2004-09, followed by Thomas W. Keefe from 2010-18. John G. Plotts served as interim president until June 2019, followed by Thomas S. Hibbs as the first alumnus to hold the presidency from 2019-2021. Since 2021, Jonathan J. Sanford has been the University of Dallas’ 10th president. The University of Dallas, now a thriving institution boasting nearly 3,000 students, continues to embrace its enduring traditions, while stepping forward into the future.