As the university prepares to receive the Rev. Kevin Wildes, S.J., as its new president, the Rev. William Byon, S.J., will soon step down from his eventful interim term as Loyola’s top administrator.

“It was an opportunity to serve the university when it was in a time of need, and I was happy to be able to do it,” Byron said.

Byron had officially stepped in to replace former president Bernard Knoth when allegations of sexual misconduct arose against the Jesuit priest, forcing him to promptly resign and leave New Orleans.

Though he said he was troubled by the circumstances that required him to succeed Knoth, Byron expressed happiness and a willingness to take over the presidential position, as well as a familiarity with Loyola’s campus.

He’d been Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Loyola from 1973 to 1975, and came into office in October already knowing several faculty members from his previous time as dean.

However, his presidential term sparked campus-wide debate over several issues, including the institution of athletic scholarships and the cancellation of “The Vagina Monologues.”

So far administrators have named four scholar-athletes for the 2004-05 academic year, the first at Loyola in more than ten years.

As for “The Vagina Monologues,” Byron said that he has been consistent in his stance against a production of the play at Loyola since the beginning of the debate.

“I wanted students to come up with a creative alternative that reflected credit on Loyola, and that it should be consistent with the university’s mission,” Byron said.

Byron referenced such “creative alternatives,” including documentaries and campus events, such as “Take Back The Night.”

Throughout his term as interim president, Byron acknowledged everyone to be helpful.

“We have four great vice-presidents, wonderful deans, terrific secretaries and a supportive Board of Trustees,” he said.

Although Byron said that he will miss New Orleans and his position as interim president, he wants to accomplish even more after he leaves Loyola.

Byron will return this summer to his position as a faculty member at Loyola College in Baltimore.

He said that he will resume writing a book on corporate business ethics, which he says will examine “old ethical principals for the new corporate culture.”

Byron said that the book will address corporate violations of integrity found in recent Wall Street scandals such as Enron and WorldCom.

Byron also continues to write a syndicated bi-weekly column titled, “Looking Around” for the Catholic News Service.

However, Byron’s departure will not be permanent, as he plans to return to Loyola as a continuing member of the University Board of Trustees.

Byron has previously served as a trustee for Georgetown University and the University of San Francisco, and as president for the University of Scranton and the Catholic University of America.

Wildes will officially step in as Loyola’s 16th president later this summer.

Lan Bui can be reached at [email protected].