Perspectives

Note from the Chair

Dear Alumni and Friends,

The end of the academic year always brings waves of contradictory feelings: wondering where the time has gone and the simultaneous sense that September was so long ago; sadness that the year is ending and relief that summer will soon be here. The rush of activities in these final weeks of spring quarter only intensifies those paradoxical moments. At our annual department reception we bid farewell to graduating students, even as we have welcomed a large group of new minors this spring, thanks to the outstanding teaching and mentoring of the RS department faculty and their ability to make religion and theology come alive and be relevant. We also dedicated a tree and plaque memorializing our beloved colleague Teresia Mbari Hinga, who we miss dearly but who is now present to us in a new way just outside Kenna Hall. If there is, as Ecclesiastes says, a season for everything, we seem to be in a season of everything this spring!

The spring began with the exciting news that Pearl Barros and Elyse Raby were granted tenure and promoted to associate professor, while Paul Schutz was promoted to full professor. Congratulations to all three on their hard work and these significant achievements.

As you will see throughout this edition of Perspectives, all of our faculty have been hard at work–in the classroom, in their scholarship, in the community, and in the media. They are making clear the importance and quality of their work and its relevance to our world. The same holds true for our students and our alumni, and we always enjoy hearing what you are up to. Let us know at religiousstudies@scu.edu.

Wishing you a refreshing summer season.

Jim Bennett
Chair, Religious Studies Department

Religious Studies Department Honors the Memory of Teresia Hinga with Planting of Tree and Posting of Plaque next to Kenna Hall

On Thursday, May 21, members of the Religious Studies Department and of the wider University community held a dedication for a newly planted tree and plaque in memory of our beloved colleague, Teresia Mbari Hinga, who passed away three years ago. Teresia was a professor in the Religious Studies Department for 18 years, where she taught global feminist theologies, ethics, and African spiritualities. Her generosity and joyful spirit made her beloved by students and colleagues alike.

Read More about the Dedication

RS Department Hosts 33rd Annual Reception

On May 21, the Religious Studies Department hosted its 33rd Annual Religious Studies Reception. Following the ceremony honoring Teresia Hinga (see cover story), the department gathered in Nobili Dining Hall. Professor Gene Schlesinger opened the reception with an invocation. Professor Chris Tirres served as the emcee of the event. The night included eight new inductees to the honor society, Theta Alpha Kappa. RS Major and Minor students also received awards.

Read More about the RS Reception

Winter and Spring 2026 RS Conversations

Karl Lampley led the Winter conversation on the role of race and religion in U.S. history and contemporary politics. Paul Schutz led the Spring conversation on how theology, religion, and society might look different if flourishing is placed at their center.

Read More about these Conversations

RS Faculty & Staff visit Oracle Park

The Religious Studies Department faculty and staff, with family and friends, had an enjoyable evening viewing the San Francisco Giants vs Philadelphia Phillies game on Santa Clara Night at Oracle Park on April 6. It was a nice chance to build community outside of the usual office and classroom settings and connect in a relaxed ballpark environment. It was a fun evening for all. Our group received special SCU/Giants roped caps before the game, and cheered the Giants with the rest of the SCU community. Attending a Giants game has long been an annual tradition in the department.

Field Trip to Ismaili Jamathkana in Milpitas

Religious Studies professors Daniel Morgan and Gaurika Mehta organized a visit of 20 students for an overview of the Islamic tradition with a focus on the specificities of Ismaili tariqa (or Way).

Read More about this Field Trip

An Interactive Interfaith Workshop provides ideas for future organizing-related offerings.

Read More about this Workshop

Grieving Demolition: Grappling with Chávez’s Tarnished Legacy

RS professors Philip Boo Riley and Chris Tirres participated in a panel conversation that reflected on how to understand and respond to the investment in the legacy of César Chávez in light of the March 2026 revelations of alleged sexual abuse.

Read More about this Panel

Ana María Pineda, RSM

Ana María was interviewed by The Valley Catholic. She attended the Romero Conference at Notre Dame University and stopped at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, where Pope Leo studied two years prior to her arrival. The Sisters of Mercy honored Ana Maria for her many contributions to Latinio/a ministry and theology.

Read More about Ana Maria's latest work

Nicholas Hayes-Mota

Nicholas was awarded a Fellowship at Georgetown's Initiative for Catholic Social Thought and Public Life. He was featured in a number of media outlets on Pope Leo and on Catholicism and Community Organizing. He also served as a section editor in the recently published Handbook on Religious Toleration in Comparative Perspective, and was involved in a number of events surrounding Pope Leo XIV's new encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas.

Read More about Nicholas' latest work

Gene Schlesinger

Gene served as a panelist for a webinar hosted by The Episcopal Church discussing a proposed full communion agreement between The Episcopal Church and the United Methodist Church. Gene also appeared as a guest on the Called to Lead podcast. Gene presented a chapter from his book in progress at the JST's Faculty Research Colloquium.

Read More about Gene's latest work

Elyse Raby

Elyse participated in the panel discussion "Leading with Our Jesuit Values in Challenging Times." She was also featured in a May 25 story that aired several times on KPIX about the Pope’s encyclical.

Read More about Elyse's latest work

RS Major Gavin Brunsman

Gavin Brunsman ’27 presented his ongoing research on religion, climate change, and artificial intelligence at the 2026 Sustainability and Environmental Justice Symposium.

Read More about Gavin

RS Minor Luke Childers

Luke Childers ’28 was accepted to participate in the year-long AMDG program through the Institute for Advanced Jesuit Studies at Boston College. The program's name, AMDG, comes from the Latin motto of the Society of Jesus, Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, For the Greater Glory of God.

Read More about Luke

Ryan Dilag Awarded for His Work in Catholic Education

Ryan Dilag ’10 (Religious Studies, Psychology),  M.A. ’14 (SCU Pastoral Ministries), shared news that he won the 2026 National Catholic Educational Association's Lead. Learn. Proclaim. Award for his commitment and service to Catholic education. Ryan is currently the Director of Campus Ministry and Music Ministry Coordinator at Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland.

Sharon McCarthy Dean '78 encourages RS Majors

“In response to your email, I thought I'd just say hello and give encouragement to current RS majors. I was Class of '78 (which means I'm pushing 70), and my closest friends were all RS majors. We did a lot of soul-searching and discussing, and most of our efforts focused on the Christian Liturgy and Campus Ministry programs, led by Dan Germann, SJ.

My brothers always berated me - what are you gonna do with THAT major? You'll never get a job with that! Ah, but you're missing the whole point - it was never about getting a "job", it was about learning to think, to help people understand and internalize the word of God and how God's call affects our lives. I do not regret my choice of major, and those friends and professors (those who remain) continue to enrich my life. Choose because it fills a need in your soul, not your wallet.”

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!