Harold Ridley

Who was Harold Ridley?

The Reverend Harold "Hap" Ridley SJ was the 23rd President of Loyola College in Maryland from July 1, 1994 until his death.

Born in Jersey City, New Jersey he joined the Jesuits in 1956, and was ordained as a Roman Catholic priest in 1969. Ridley was educated at Fordham University, Woodstock College and the Union Theological Seminary. He earned his Ph. D. in English Literature from New York University.

Before becoming president of Loyola, Fr. Ridley taught at Regis High School in New York City from 1963 to 1966, and then at the Maryland Institute College of Art from 1967 to 1968. After MICA, taught at Le Moyne College for more than 20 years, where he also served as English Department Chair and Chief Academic Officer.

He took over as president of Loyola following the death of long-time president Fr. Joseph A. Sellinger, SJ.