Rev. Patrick D. Francis Rogers, S.J. is the executive director of The Jesuit Center on campus. He was born and raised near Annapolis, Maryland. He and his twin brother Peter are the last of eleven children. Fr. Rogers studied music performance at Towson University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Performance (Clarinet) in 1987. While at Towson he played saxophone with the Jazz ensemble directed by Hank Levy (1927- 2001) whose work is considered by many some of the most innovative in the later half of the 20th Century. His work “Whiplash” was the title track of the Oscar winning movie of the same name.
Fr. Rogers worked as a professional musician and teacher from the time of his graduation from university until entering the Society of Jesus in the summer of 1992. From 1994 Fr. Rogers lived at worked in the Bronx, NY, receiving a master’s degree in philosophy while working with local youth in educational settings. No stranger to the area, Fr. Rogers came to Scranton in the summer of 1997 to work at Scranton Preparatory School as the Director of Student Activities. While there, Fr. Rogers enjoyed being as assistant tennis coach for both the girls and boys tennis teams while making music with students whenever given the chance.
Following two years at Prep, Fr. Rogers left for Berkeley, CA to study theology, eventually receiving his divinity degree in 2002 followed shortly thereafter by his ordination to the priesthood at Loyola University in Baltimore. His first pastoral assignment as a priest was at St. Raphael the Archangel parish in Raleigh, NC where he was a parochial vicar and youth minister.
From 200-2005 Fr. Rogers lived in New York City and was involved in retreat and music ministry at Xavier High School while studying Spanish.
In 2005 Fr. Rogers joined the campus ministry team at Georgetown University where he remained for nine years. He recently completed his Doctorate in Liberal Studies degree from Georgetown University.
When not working, Fr. Rogers like to play sports (especially tennis and basketball) and a guitar (and a song) sure to be close at hand.
