Thomas G. Fahy was the fifteenth President of Seton Hall University and oversaw significant physical growth as well as progress in equal access to education for minorities, improved governance, and student affairs during his tenure as president.

Thomas G. Fahy was born July 17 1922 in Jersey City. He attended St. Peter's Preparatory School, then Seton Hall University, graduating with an A.B. in Classics, before attending Immaculate Conception Seminary in Darlington, N.J. He was ordained May 31 1947 and went on to receive his Masters and Doctorate in Classical Philology from Fordham University.

Monsignor Fahy spent his career at Seton Hall, both at the Preparatory School and the University. He became a member of the faculty of Seton Hall Prep in Greek and Latin, and went on to become athletic director from 1949 to 1955. He transitioned to the University in 1955 as an Assistant Professor in Classical Languages and Athletic Director, the latter post held until 1960, when he became the Dean of Men, then Vice President for Instruction 1963-1970. He also became a full Professor.

Monsignor Fahy became President of Seton Hall on October 14 1970. During his term, President Fahy oversaw many significant changes. An advocate for racial equality, he oversaw the founding of the Black Studies Center (later the Center for African American Studies and now a part of the Department of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures) in 1970 with a degree-awarding curriculum, as well as the Puerto Rican Institute (now the Joseph A. Unanue Latino Institute) in 1973. He played a major role in the creation of the University Senate in 1970, and advocated for students' rights and student affairs, overseeing the adoption of a Student Bill of Rights by the University Senate in 1974, the creation of the Student Programming Board to ensure minority representation and programming on campus, and assisted in the efforts to approve a student pub on campus. President Fahy also oversaw physical growth by the University, approving the construction of the Law Center (now Seton Hall Law) in Newark, N.J., and facilities for the Business and Nursing schools, and the conversion of the "Red Barn" on campus into a gallery and classroom space for the Department of Art and Music (now the Arts Center), as well as additional residential space for female students. He also helped establish a day care center in Newark.

In addition to these activities related directly to Seton Hall, Msgr. Fahy was active in other social concerns and was recognized for his work. He supported the efforts of Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers, acting as a mediator during the United Farm Workers strike in California. He also supported the strike at the Stella Wright Housing Project in Newark in 1970. In 1975 he received the Brotherhood award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews in recognition of his work to promote race relations and equal educational opportunity.

In July 1976, President Fahy suffered a heart attack, and spent several months recuperating at the home of his brother in Greensboro, N.C. A few days after his return to Seton Hall to resume his place as President, he died on October 27 1976 of another heart attack in his quarters on campus.