James Keene, S.J.

Message from the President
Oct. 11, 2024

Dear LMU Community:

I am saddened to share that Rev. James Keene, S.J., retired systems analyst with Information Technology Services, passed away on Oct. 2, 2024, at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, California. He was 82 years old.

Father Keene joined LMU in August 1995 and played a pivotal role in the university’s technological growth over his 21 years of service. Starting as a research and development administrator in the Registrar’s Office, he transitioned to assistant to the associate vice president for Student Information Systems in 1997. By 1999, he was promoted to associate registrar and systems administrator. Father Keene provided crucial technology support for the university's student information system, Banner, since its implementation at LMU in the late 1990s.

Father Keene joined ITS in 2006 as a programmer analyst and was quickly promoted to database administrator. In December 2008, Father Keene was again promoted to systems analyst, where he worked until his retirement in March 2016.

Before joining LMU, Father Keene taught math and physics at Jesuit high schools, the University of St. Louis, Louisiana State University, and Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri. He earned a Master of Divinity in 1973 from the Jesuit School of Technology, and a Master of Mathematics in 1970 from Louisiana State University. In 1966, he earned a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in education from St. Louis University.

Father Keene entered the Society of Jesus on Aug. 21, 1959, was ordained on May 11, 1973, and made his final vows Feb. 2, 1982.

Please keep Father Jim, his sister Marilyn Keene Mier, his friends, colleagues, and fellow Jesuits in your thoughts and your prayers.

Sincerely,

Timothy Law Snyder, Ph.D.
President