Louis Gaffney, SJ was appointed acting President of Seattle University in early 1970 after the sudden resignation of Kenneth Baker, SJ. In November 1970, Father Gaffney was appointed the university's 18th President. The hallmark of Father Gaffney's presidency was a spirit of "contagious optimism" which shored up morale during difficult financial times for the University. Gaffney took on the difficult oversight of the belt-tightening process with sound fiscal management practices. A three year Stabilization Fund Campaign was launched by A.A. Lemieux, SJ, former Seattle University President and William E. Boeing, Jr., Seattle University Trustee and Regent. By the end of Gaffney's presidency in 1974 finances had stabilized sufficiently to address the more challenging issues around enrollment and the future of some academic programs.
From the description of Seattle University Office of the President: Louis Gaffney, SJ Records, 1970-1975. (Seattle University). WorldCat record id: 739103284
