Archive for the ‘Education’ Category

Jesuit Brother William Rehg has been named the new dean for Saint Louis University College of Philosophy and Letters, a program for young Jesuits studying philosophy and theology during their first years of study after the novitiate.

The dean of the College of Philosophy and Letters has the authority to adapt curriculum to meet each individual’s needs, which is important because Jesuits have a broad range of academic experience.  Some men enter the Society of Jesus with a college degree, perhaps even an advanced degree; a few come right out of high school.

Br. Rehg brings a vast amount of experience to the position. After graduating with a bachelor of science from Wright State University, Br. Rehg came to SLU to earn his master’s and licentiate in philosophy. He then went on to earn his master’s of divinity from Weston School of Theology and his doctorate in philosophy from Northwestern University.

With more than 20 years of experience teaching at SLU, as well as Rockhurst and Northwestern, Br. Rehg has also served as a visiting scholar or professor at Georgetown, Berkeley, Jesuit School of Theology, Loyola and Goethe-University in Frankfurt, Germany.

He has also been granted a variety of awards and has a lengthy publishing record. Rehg is a past president of Philosophers in Jesuit Education as well as Jesuit Philosophical Association and serves on the Board of Directors for Theological Studies.

Br. Rehg is looking forward to the opportunity of leading the College of Philosophy and Letters, “I would like to express my gratitude to Fr. Michael Barber for his tremendous service as dean of Philosophy and Letters.  And I hope that I can continue in that spirit of service.”

[Missouri Jesuits]

In 1969, Jesuit Brother Jim Small came to Loyola Academy in Chicago’s northern suburb of Wilmette, Ill. to work as its resident carpenter, but it’s been a different kind of work and use of his talents that has benefited the Jesuit college preparatory high school the most.

After serving in the Navy during World War II followed by a stint as a Chicago police officer, Br. Small entered the Jesuit novitiate in 1952 at Milford, Ohio. When he came to Loyola Academy, Br. Small picked up a paintbrush and returned to a hobby he’d enjoyed since his childhood – painting. During the school’s first fundraiser in 1970, Br. Small included 36 of his original pieces, all of which were quickly purchased. Since then, he contributes between 60 to 100 paintings each year to Loyola Academy’s fundraiser and raises upwards of $45,000 annually for the school. The funds from the sale of his artwork are used to endow a scholarship fund for students in need.

While Br. Small’s work as a carpenter and an artist has done much for Loyola Academy, few would say those are his most important contributions. He’s known by students, alumni, staff, parents and coaches as a true man for others – someone with a generous spirit who humbly attributes his abilities to God’s grace.  It is his generosity that most would say is his great contribution to Loyola Academy.

Find out more about Br. Jim Small and his artistic talents in the Ignatian News Network video below:

The Great Wall. One-fifth of the world’s population. Tiananmen Square.

What do you really know about China?  Where 5,000 years of history and culture clash with unprecedented growth and change, China has become one of the most exotic and dynamic places on Earth.

Founded by the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities in 1998, The Beijing Center for Chinese Studies (TBC) has provided the world an unprecedented education about China. Students travel to Beijing to learn about and experience culture shaped by Confucius philosophy, dynastic rule, striking art forms, economic growth, and political revolution.

Jesuit Father John Guiney, the Director of Jesuit Missions in Ireland, visited China last year and had the opportunity to visit TBC and interview its director, Jesuit Father Roberto Ribeiro.

The late Stephen Duffy, a former Loyola New Orleans religious studies professor, believed systematic theology to be immensely important, and that it should be kept at Loyola. This fall, his wish will be granted.

The two-year search for the Stephen Duffy Endowed Chair in the Religious Studies department has finally ended. Jesuit Father Edward Vacek will be assuming the chair in the fall semester.

“We had 40 applicants, and that’s a great turnout because this is a very high-level position, and there are few people qualified enough to take on this role,” said Denis Janz, religious studies professor and chairman of the search committee. ”A person at this level has a great many options, and we’re very lucky to have someone of Fr. Vacek’s caliber. This is a victory for us.”

Vacek will teach systematic theology and give public lectures, as well as involve himself in the Loyola community.

“Systematic theology is organized critical thinking about God and Christian life,” Vacek said in an email. According to Vacek, it evolved naturally from theology as humans tried to account for what practices led them to a closer relationship with God and came to organize their thoughts.

Vacek taught at Boston College from 2008 to 2011 and spent last year working at the Woodstock Theological Center in Washington, D.C.

“I taught for 33 years in a pontifical seminary,” Vacek said. “A big part of my job was to do the research and writing that would help the church’s theology evolve. Furthermore, I have been very interested in issues of social justice, so a fight against racism and sexism deeply ingrained in me. All of that has prepared me well, I think, for making a significant contribution to Loyola.”

Janz said he is pleased to have Vacek in the position, “He is really one of the best in his field, so we’re lucky to have him.”

Vacek said he looks forward to his time at Loyola, ”Loyola very ably serves important needs in the region and in the church. I consider it a real privilege to serve here. I love being a teacher, and I love being a Jesuit and I love being a priest. So here at Loyola I will get to do what I love. I wish everybody would be so fortunate to be able to pursue their deepest commitments.”

[The Maroon]

Jesuit Father James Pribek, Associate Professor of English at Canisius College, joins the Seattle University English Department faculty as the LeRoux Scholar for the spring quarter 2012. Father Pribek will teach, conduct research, and deliver the lecture, “’When Hope and History Rhyme’: Irish Literature as a Resource for Hope.” Fr. Pribek follows Jesuit Father Mark Bosco, Loyola University Chicago English Department, and Jesuit Father Mark Ravizza, Santa Clara University Philosophy Department, as the latest Le Roux Chair.

“The Le Roux endowment gives us an opportunity to bring outstanding scholars to campus,” said Arts and Sciences Dean David Powers. “At the same time, the chair has time for research and writing that expands his discipline.”

The College of Arts and Sciences, Seattle University’s largest college, provides funding for the William F. LeRoux, S.J. Endowed Chair in Arts and Sciences. The endowed chair is awarded to a Jesuit academic in the arts, humanities, or social sciences. The appointment is for one academic quarter. The chair is required to teach one course and conduct a public lecture, with remaining time available to advance his scholarship and engage with the Seattle University community.

Fr. Pribek holds a master degree in English from Gonzaga University, two graduate theology degrees from Weston School of Theology in Cambridge, MA, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Anglo-Irish literature and drama from University College Dublin. He has been a Jesuit for 25 years and a priest for 13 years.