William H. and Lois J. McEssy Endowed Chair in Church History
June 3, 2025
The William H. and Lois J. McEssy Endowed Chair in Church History Established at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary
USML/Mundelein Seminary is proud to announce the establishment of The William H. and Lois J. McEssy Endowed Chair in Church History, a prestigious position dedicated to advancing the study and teaching of Church history. This chair honors the extraordinary legacy of Bill and Lois McEssy, whose generosity and vision have left an indelible mark on both the physical campus and the intellectual and spiritual formation of its students. Since serving as Chair of the Board of Advisors ten years ago, McEssy has been a driving force behind countless transformative projects, including the McEssy Theological Resource Center, Mundelein Hall, the Belvedere renovations, reconstructed Bridge One, the Cardinal’s Villa renovations, and the McEssy Seminarian Scholarships. His vision for strengthening the formation of parish priests extends far beyond these structural accomplishments—his wisdom, leadership, and mentorship have shaped the direction of the seminary for years.
The inaugural holder of this esteemed chair will be Dr. Paul Hilliard, currently Associate Professor of Church History and Interim Dean of the School of Parish Leadership & Evangelization at USML/Mundelein Seminary. Dr. Hilliard, a beloved teacher and accomplished scholar specializing in early medieval intellectual history—particularly the works of St. Bede—earned his B.A. in History with concentrations in Classics and Medieval and Renaissance Studies from the University of Dallas, followed by an M.Phil and Ph.D. in History from the University of Cambridge. He is an active member of numerous distinguished scholarly organizations, including the American Historical Association, American Catholic Historical Association, Ecclesiastical History Society, Medieval Academy of America, and the Society for the Study of the Bible in the Middle Ages.
“I continue to be humbled and amazed by the passion and fervor with which Bill and Lois have long supported the mission of the seminary— to form parish priests,” said Fr. John Kartje, President/Rector. “We are deeply grateful for Bill and Lois’s dedication and generosity, which have made this chair—and so much more—possible. Their influence continues to shape the future of the Seminary and those we serve.”
About USML
The University of Saint Mary of the Lake educates and forms priests, deacons, and lay leaders to serve the Church and its people. The campus is home to Mundelein Seminary and The School of Parish Leadership and Evangelization, a major seminary and school of theology for the Archdiocese of Chicago and beyond for over a century. To learn more about the University of Saint Mary of the Lake and the programs it offers, visit www.usml.edu.
