In Memory of Dr. John Dennis Jr.
Community Mourns Longtime Faculty Member John Dennis
Dr. John Dennis, a beloved teacher at Saint Mary’s College since 1979 and former director of the College’s High Potential Program for first-generation college students, was killed at his home in Oakland on Feb. 9. He was 59.
Hundreds of students, friends and colleagues mourned his death at a prayer service in the Chapel on Feb. 11. The College will hold a Memorial Mass for Dr. Dennis in the Chapel on Feb. 20 at 12:45 p.m. In addition, a Funeral Mass will take place on Monday, Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. at St. Benedict's Catholic Church, 2245 82nd Ave. in Oakland.
“Over the coming days, we will all struggle to come to terms with this senseless act, confront the loss of John to our community, and for those who knew John, deal with the personal grief of his absence,” Brother President Ronald Gallagher wrote in a message to the College.
During his 29 years at the College, Dr. Dennis — known affectionately as “Dr. D” — taught thousands of students in an extraordinary variety of courses, ranging from Modern African History to Roman and Early Christian Thought. He also taught January Term classes on cultural interpretations of laughter and death, along with courses in the Graduate Liberal Studies Program.
“He was one of those unforgettable personalities that make memories about your education that last forever,” said Brother Michael Meister. “When people say, ‘I had this professor that changed my life profoundly’ — John was that professor.”
From 1993 to 2005, Dr. Dennis was director of the High Potential Program for first-generation college students, primarily Latino and African-American students from the Bay Area. The program helps prepare students for college through summer coursework, mentoring and enriching co-curricular activities.
“As director, John doubled the size of the High Potential Program, and the students were well aware of the high demands academically,” said Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Frances Sweeney. “He developed the program into not only an academic boot camp, but a comprehensive and holistic system of transformation for the students, addressing mind, body and spirit.”
In addition to his position in Saint Mary’s History Department, Dr. Dennis was on the faculty of the African American Studies Department at City College of San Francisco since 1980. A graduate of Paso Robles High School in San Luis Obispo County, he earned a bachelor’s degree from UC Santa Barbara and a doctorate in African History from Stanford University.
Beyond the classroom, Dennis was involved in a number of community outreach efforts. He was a lay chaplain for Catholic Charities at the Bryant Street Jail in San Francisco, served in the Oakland Adult Education Program since the late 1970s and was a lay preacher and Liturgical Committee member at Saint Benedict’s Catholic Church in East Oakland.
“John educated many minds and touched hundreds of hearts, and there are gatherings like this one going on in other communities all around the Bay Area,” said Brother Michael Sanderl during the prayer service.
Friends and alumni are encouraged to share their thoughts and memories of Dr. Dennis at the College's guest book through guest books on Facebook and the Contra Costa Times.
