Description
Annotated Chapter Overview
Prologue Set on October 29, 1989, the Prologue recounts the fatal accident that claimed Tom Oddos life and the immediate impact on the University of Portland community.
Part One: Hail Mary, Full of Grace Covers Toms early life in Queens, his education at Notre Dame, and his spiritual formation in the wake of Vatican II. Traces his deepening commitment to social justice, his work with Dignity (a Catholic LGBTQ+ support group), and his evolving theology, culminating in his doctoral work that compares the priesthoods of Thomas Merton and Daniel Berrigan.
Part Two: The Bluff Focuses on Toms transformative presidency at the University of Portland during the 1980s. From his innovative fundraising strategies and support for co-ed housing to the construction of the Chiles Center and Chapel of Christ the Teacher, Toms leadership reshaped the campus. Highlights include his encounter with Ronald Reagan, activism on AIDS awareness, and a growing national profile.
Part Three: Camelot These chapters reflect on the cultural and moral climate of the 1980s and Toms navigation of political and theological tensions, including apartheid divestment and rising tuition costs. His leadership drew comparisons to that of JFK, and his legacy was marked by both admiration and institutional challenges.
Part Four: This is Death The final section explores the aftermath of Toms sudden death: the grief and memorials that followed, contested memories, and ongoing reflections on his lifes work. The book closes with a first-ever conversation between the father and son involved in the accident that took Toms life, underscoring the far-reaching impact of his loss.
Tyler Bieber
Author: Tyler Bieber
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Unencumbered Press
Published: 12/12/2025
Pages: 304
Weight: 1.36lbs
Size: 9.14h x 6.36w x 0.94d
ISBN: 9798986566450
Language: English
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