His tenure was largely shaped by World War II, which necessitated his admittance of women into the Graduate School of Arts and Science.

Following the end of his term of office, he became vice president and dean of studies at the University of Scranton, where he died in 1953.

[1][2] He enrolled in Xavier High School (where he was later inducted into their hall of fame) and graduated in 1916,[3] proceeding to Fordham University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in 1920.

[6] The following year, he became the vice president and dean of studies at Loyola College in Maryland, and held this position until 1942.

[7] Gorman succeeded Arthur A. O'Leary as president of Georgetown University on December 17, 1942, upon being appointed by Zacheus J. Maher, the American assistant to the Jesuit Superior General.

[11] On December 18, 1944, Gorman broke ground on the new Georgetown University Hospital, which was located on Reservoir Road and held 400 beds.

[9] At the commencement ceremony of 1945, Gorman awarded President Harry S. Truman an honorary Doctor of Laws degree, and hailed him as the "chosen son of destiny" who was working to bring forth peace in the midst of World War II.

Truman was unable to attend the ceremony, and sent Senator Dennis Chávez in his stead; an honorary doctorate was also awarded to Ross T. McIntire, the Surgeon General of the Navy.

[17] He also presented Crown Prince Abdul Ilah, the regent of the Kingdom of Iraq, with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.