Kęstutis Trimakas

Garbės daktaras / Honorary Doctor (Suteiktas vardas 2010-03-30)

Pastor Rev. Prof. Dr. Kęstutis Antanas Trimakas was awarded VMU Honorary Doctorate regalia in 2010 for significant contribution to the restoration and improvement of Vytautas Magnus University and for the promotion of Lithuania in the United States of America.

Kestutis Trimakas was born on February 21, 1930 in Kaunas. After finishing primary school here, he went on to study at the Lithuanian Gymnasium in Munich (Germany), where he graduated in 1948. In 1949, he came to the United States and joined the Jesuits. Trimakas studied philosophy and theology at Weston College and gained Master’s degree in humanities at Boston College.

Trimakas was ordained a priest in 1960. From 1969 to 1972, he studied psychology at Loyola University Chicago, defended his PhD dissertation, worked as a clinical psychologist in hospitals, was engaged in pastoral work, edited magazines (vice-editor of the magazine Laiškai lietuviams since 1960; chief-editor of Laiškai lietuviams from 1962 to 1969; chief editor of the magazine Ateitis from 1975 to 1983; one of the editors of the magazine Aidai from 1980 to 1991). He has collaborated with the Institute of Lithuanian Studies since 1977, actively enriching the cultural and spiritual life of diaspora. While living in the US, Trimakas published 17 books and 6 peer-reviewed psychological and theological monographs. He published about 100 articles in various foreign scientific publications.

After returning to Lithuania, he significantly contributed to the restoration of Vytautas Magnus University; gave lectures at VMU and other Lithuanian universities for seventeen years; served as a member of VMU Senate for two tenures.