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Note from the Chair
Dear Alumni and Friends,
 As spring quarter comes to an end, we are wrapping up another busy year in the Religious Studies Department. This year has continued with a rich array of programming for the department and the university, and our faculty continues to publish scholarship at an impressive rate, both for the academy and for general audiences. The connections between scholarship and public interest were especially evident this spring as Dr. Elyse Raby and others brought their scholarship to media audiences to interpret the death of Pope Francis and then the election of Leo XIII as the first pontiff born in the United States.
The highlight of the spring is always the annual reception and awards ceremony. Even with a move to the Nobili dining room from our traditional location in Adobe Lodge, it was a wonderful evening of conversation, recognizing our students, and hearing words of wisdom from Dr. Philip “Boo” Riley.
I encourage you to peruse the contents to read more about some of what we’ve been up to.
As always, we are especially happy to hear from our alumni and learn what you are up to. Feel free to email us at religiousstudies@scu.edu.
Wishing you a wonderful summer,
Jim Bennett
Chair, Religious Studies Department
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RS Professors Share Their Expertise About the Papal Conclave
Prof. Elyse Raby's research and teaching on Pope Francis provide abundant information to the media as the new pope is elected. Professors Nicholas Hayes-Mota and David DeCosse share their knowledge of the topic of the papacy.
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RS Department Hosts 32nd Annual Reception
The Religious Studies Department continues its yearly tradition of celebrating the outstanding achievements of RS Junior and Senior majors and minors with a buffet dinner, awards, and honor society inductions.
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Winter and Spring 2025 RS Conversations
The topics of religious customs & traditions, indigenous transborder life, and an explanation of the selection of the new Pope were all parts of the three RS Conversations offered in the Winter and Spring '25 quarters.
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RS Faculty & Staff visit Oracle Park
The Religious Studies Department faculty and staff, with family and friends, had a blast attending the San Francisco Giants vs the Cincinnati Reds game at Santa Clara Night at Oracle Park on April 7. It was a wonderful opportunity to build community outside of the classroom and connect in a relaxed setting. It had been the first group game for the department since before the pandemic, and it was a fun evening for all. Decked out in Bronco and Giants gear, we cheered on the Giants with the rest of the SCU community!
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Sacred Nature and the Forge Garden
Prof. Lynn Hillberg describes how her new course, TESP 150 - Sacred Nature - Indigenous Relations with the Earth,
has blossomed from a dream to reality.
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RS Student and Faculty Recipients of the 2024-25 Hoefer Prize
RS major Samuel Cao (pictured at left) and RS faculty Prof. Roberto Mata co-authored an award-winning paper on the topic of martyrdom.
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Ana María Pineda, RSM
Ana María was honored last month by Misericordia University with an honorary Doctor of Human Letters degree for her lifelong service and scholarship.
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Chris Tirres
Chris had a busy Spring, publishing two books, participating in several book talks, organizing several noted speaker visits to SCU, completing two ACUE (Association of College & University Educators) models for teaching effectiveness and working with JST/GPPM/RS in collaboration efforts.
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Paul Schutz
Paul's new book, A Theology of Flourishing: The Fullness of Life For All Creation, proposes a groundbreaking theological approach to what it means to truly thrive.
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| Updates from Pearl Barros, Jim Bennett, David DeCosse, Elizabeth Drescher, Nicholas Hayes-Mota, Karl Lampley, Jennifer Lehmann, Gaurika Mehta, Daniel Morgan, Fred Parrella (Professor Emeritus), Karen Peterson-Iyer, Elyse Raby, Eugene Schlesinger, and Haruka Umetsu Cho. |
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RS Senior Majors Present at Family Weekend 2025
Religious Studies majors Joseph Barton ’25 (pictured at left) and Samuel Cao ’25 participated in the College of Arts and Sciences Dean's Reception and Student Showcase.
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RS Alumnae Team Up for Theologies of Mental Health event
Dr. Jessica Coblentz ’08, Dr. Stephanie Edwards ’07, and Dr. Annie Selak ’05, SCU Religious Studies alumnae, teamed up on January 29 to present the Theologies of Mental Health Zoom event, which was part of a month-long series on Faith, Hope, and Mental Wellness at Trinity University.
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We would love to hear from you! If you have any news or memories to share (tell us your best RS story!), would like to update us about your current life and work, or have any ideas for RS programs and initiatives, please email religiousstudies@scu.edu.
You might include a story or photo of a recent event, or just let us know about your current location, career, or thoughts. Thank you!
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