[1] He entered the novitiate for the Holy Ghost Fathers the following year, and earned a bachelor's degree at Duquesne.

He quickly distinguished himself as a capable administrator, and was instrumental in preparing the university's School of Education for its state certification.

[4] However, Kirk's six years as president were some of the darkest days of Duquesne University's history as enrollment shrank during the Second World War to nearly catastrophic levels.

A reorganization of the Law School caused dissent, resulting in the dismissal and resignation of several faculty members.

[6][3] The difficulties of leading the university through these struggles adversely affected Kirk's health, and he had to suspend his activities in 1945.