[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 81 (Tuesday, May 11, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2444-S2445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO FATHER MICHAEL J. GRAHAM

 Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize my 
friend, Father Michael J. Graham, on his retirement as the 34th 
president of Xavier University in my hometown of Cincinnati, OH, and to 
thank him for his more than 34 years of service at Xavier helping to 
cultivate young leaders and developing Musketeer students with the 
Jesuit values of becoming ``men and women for others.''
  Father Graham started at Xavier in 1984 as an assistant history 
professor. After pursuing his master of divinity from the Weston School 
of Theology, he returned to Xavier in 1989. He was appointed vice 
president for university relations in 1994 and was inaugurated 
president of Xavier University on September 8, 2001.
  Father Graham is the longest serving president in Xavier University's 
history, and over the past 20 years, he has had an incredible impact on 
the university, the Cincinnati community, and the more than 30,000 
students who have

[[Page S2445]]

graduated from Xavier University during his tenure. He has helped raise 
over $500 million to fund scholarships, advance the academic 
experience, support community projects, and advance the development of 
the university.
  In the community, Father Graham's passion to connect and collaborate 
with local and regional communities inspired him to establish the 
Community Building Institute as well as the Eigel Center for Community 
Engagement at Xavier. In 2017, Father Graham was asked to chair the 
Cincinnati Preschool Promise Board of Directors, a voter-approved 
initiative to ensure that quality preschool is available and affordable 
to all children living within the Cincinnati school district. It is one 
of many ways he has extended his and Xavier's reach into critical 
issues that impact the Cincinnati community.
  Since Father Graham began his presidency, U.S. News & World Report 
has consistently listed Xavier among the Nation's top 10 Midwest 
universities. Under his leadership, the university has expanded to 
offer master's programs in coaching education and athlete development, 
health economic and clinical outcomes research, customer analytics, and 
others. The impact of President Graham's academic and community-based 
vision for Xavier is far reaching. Father Mike will be missed, but his 
legacy will be felt for generations to come.

                          ____________________