Shaped by experiences of violence and war, University of Dayton alumnus Jack Meagher's goal is to bring peace to the world, a goal he is supporting with a $1.72 million gift to establish a professorship in justice and human rights studies at UD.
"'Peace' is at the heart of who I am given my life with loss and violence," said Meagher (pronounced MAH-er), whose experiences include serving in Vietnam and being a Montgomery County common pleas court judge. "The impact violence and war had on me, the word 'peace' and people being at peace is a significant part of this whole human experience. Establishing a fellowship here to bring in people to talk and think about it, and maybe take that out into the world, is what this is all about."
The Judge John Meagher Endowed Assistant Professor in Transitional Justice and Human Rights will focus on helping societies confront, overcome and prevent violence, conflict, repression and divisions. This work involves research and education on truth commissions, criminal prosecutions, reparations, memorials and institutional reform, among other peacebuilding strategies. Transitional justice transforms relationships among citizens and between citizens and the government after periods of human rights abuses.
"You hear more about violence, people disagreeing, not getting along and fighting, rather than living in peace," Meagher said. "We're really going to try to academically open what the topic of peace is in human development — to learn the significance of peace, its history and what institutions we should build or strengthen to be a positive force in the world."
The position will lead public conversations on human rights and justice, build partnerships with experts and community leaders, and publish research on how societies and communities build peace after conflict. Along with teaching two courses each semester, the role includes mentoring students in hands-on projects on conflict resolution and peacebuilding, and seeking funding to support scholarship and community-engaged initiatives.
“Violence and war wreak havoc around the world, with conflicts growing more deadly and civilians bearing the brunt of the suffering. That makes research and education in this area more urgent than ever,” said Natalie Hudson, executive director of the University of Dayton Human Rights Center. “Establishing this position strengthens the University of Dayton’s commitment to addressing these global challenges, advances knowledge on effective strategies for peacebuilding, and prepares our students to be courageous leaders in advancing the common good.”
Meagher, a 1963 UD graduate, and his wife, Kathy, are long-time supporters of the University. They established the Ethel “Nanny” Meagher Scholarship to honor his mother and the John M. Meagher Human Rights Fellow in the UD Human Rights Center to support a postdoctoral scholar conducting field research, academic talks, community dialogues and a scholar-advocate symposium related to the U.S.-Vietnam War. In 2020, the Vietnam Legacies Project explored the lasting consequences of the war in both nations.
For interviews, contact Shawn Robinson, associate director of news and communications, at 937-229-3391 or srobinson1@udayton.edu.