Charles R. Coony, S.J.

Charles Coony, S.J., was a professor of at Loyola University from 1934 to 1972. Father Coony entered the Society of Jesus at the Sacred Heart Novitiate in Los Gatos, Calif., in the mid-1920s. After obtaining both a bachelor's and master's degree from Gonzaga University, he completed further studies at Loyola University as a Jesuit scholastic during his formation. First arriving at Loyola as a faculty member in 1934, he taught taught physics at the University for nearly four decades and later served as chair of the Physics Department. As the University's engineering programs grew, Father Coony developed several physics courses for engineering students. He soon became known among students as the gatekeeper of the University's engineering programs as he was often called upon to evaluate the first year engineering students in his courses and determine whether or not they would be successful in the engineering programs.

As an outstanding educator and administrator, Father Coony was instrumental in the University receiving accreditation for its engineering programs in the 1950s. Additionally, he was first to recruit Donald Merrifield, S.J., later to become the 11th president of the University, to teach at Loyola as a Jesuit scholastic in the late 1950s. In addition, as the University worked to raise its academic profile, Father Coony provided leadership on many university committees, including serving as chair of the Rank and Tenure Committee. He was a member of the American Association of Physics Teachers, Southern California Chapter. Father Coony passed away in 1975.