In Memoriam: Rev. Terence Stephen Keegan, O.P. ’60
Rev. Terence Stephen Keegan, O.P. ’60, who served the college for 40 years in roles that included executive vice president and treasurer, college chaplain, and professor of theology, died on August 11, 2024, at Mount St. Rita Health Centre in Cumberland, Rhode Island. He was 85.
Father Keegan was a man of profound faith, keen intelligence, and a touch of mischief. Always learning, he relished teaching. He was equally at home with scripture and theology, orienteering, and professional sports teams, especially the National Football League. He was an organized administrator and a compassionate priest.
Father Keegan studied mathematics at PC and earned a master’s degree in the subject at Brown University. He entered the novitiate of the Dominican Province of St. Joseph in 1961 and was ordained to the priesthood by Most Rev. Ernest B. Boland, O.P. ’52, ’84Hon., bishop of Multan, Pakistan, on June 13, 1968, at St. Dominic Church in Washington, D.C.
In addition to the degrees he earned while in formation at the Dominican House of Studies, Father Keegan held a doctoral degree in sacred theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Angelicum, in Rome, and a licentiate degree in sacred scripture from the Pontifical Bible Institute in Rome. He also earned a diploma from the Ecole Biblique in Jerusalem.
Father Keegan joined the theology faculty at PC in 1975 and became a full professor in 1994. He also taught in the mathematics and computer science department. He was college chaplain from 1975-1977, residence hall head resident from 1977-1982, assistant chaplain from 1977-1984, co-director of the graduate program in theology from 1986-1992, dean of graduate studies from 1994-1995, executive vice president from 1994-2005, and treasurer from 1999-2005. He served on the college’s Board of Trustees.
He wrote and edited many books, including A Commentary on the Gospel of St. Mark (1981, 2005), First Timothy, Second Timothy, Titus, and Philemon (2006), and Interpreting the Bible: A Popular Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics (1985, 2005).
In 2013, the master of the Dominican Order bestowed on him the order’s highest distinction, that of Master of Sacred Theology.
The funeral for Father Keegan was celebrated on campus on August 16 with burial in the Dominican Cemetery. Contributions in his memory may be made to Providence College, Dominican Scholarship Fund, Office of Institutional Advancement, 1 Cunningham Square, Providence, RI 02918.
