Holy Cross Alumnus to Recount Path from NFL Prospect to University President

WORCESTER, Mass. – One-time NFL draftee and now Fontbonne University President Dennis C. Golden, a 1963 graduate of the College of the Holy Cross, will give the annual Thomas More Lecture at the College on Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the Rehm Library, Smith Hall.

The Thomas More Lecture on Faith, Work and Civic Life honors a graduate of Holy Cross who exemplifies the College’s dedication to the integration of faith and learning. The alumnus or alumna is invited to speak about his or her own profession, vocation, and the ethical opportunities and challenges faced there. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Golden traded a promising future in professional football for a career in higher education administration — and has no regrets. He was a Division I scholarship student-athlete at Holy Cross, a Marine Corps captain and member of the Quantico 1963 Armed Forces Championship football team, and a draftee of the NFL Dallas Cowboys. He also played a pre-season for the New England Patriots. However, instead of pursuing a career in the NFL, he opted to continue his education and a career in academic administration.

Golden received his master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Assumption College and a doctorate in education at Boston College.  He was an assistant dean at Holy Cross, vice president and dean of student services at Framingham State College, vice president for student life at Duquesne University, and vice president for student affairs at University of Louisville, Ky. He was appointed president of Fontbonne, a Catholic university in St. Louis, in 1995.

Not able to give up football entirely, Golden coached college ball at Holy Cross and Framingham State for 13 years.

Golden has earned distinction as a university administrator. In his tenure at Fontbonne, he has increased enrollment to an all-time high, achieved university status, and reached out to underserved populations. Beyond Fontbonne, he has been a consultant and a member of numerous college and university accreditation teams. Golden is a nationally-recognized authority on pluralism and diversity, and recently received Missouri’s Martin Luther King, Jr. State Celebration Commission’s Distinguished Education/Community Service Award.

To learn more about this program and other Center for Religion, Ethics and Culture events, visit holycross.edu/crec.