Loyola University Maryland announced Thursday that its president, the Rev. Brian F. Linnane, will take a six-month sabbatical in fall 2015.
Loyola's Board of Trustees granted Linnane, 59, the sabbatical and named Susan Donovan, Ph.D., executive vice president, acting president for the duration of the period from July 1 to Dec. 31.
"As I prepare to take this sabbatical, I express yet again my deep faith in our community's ability to continue to advance Loyola in fulfilling our important mission," Linnane said in a statement. "The Jesuit tradition values seeking out time for reflection, and I am grateful to the Trustees for granting me this opportunity."
Officials said in the statement that Linnane has not finalized his plans, but intends to spend time at one of the Jesuit theological centers "so he can re-immerse himself in his academic area of theological ethics. His scholarly publications in this field are extensive, covering the disciplines of fundamental moral theology, health care ethics, and virtue ethics."
Linnane has been president of Loyola since July 2005.