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Faculty Lunchtime Dialogues

The Center for Faith & Learning is a patron for faculty of all departments, backgrounds and faiths who see teaching/research/service as a vocation and wish to facilitate a supportive atmosphere for colleagues. We "see" one another when stories are shared and we find the commonalities.

Welcoming ALL Villanova faculty and ALL faiths, the Center for Faith & Learning hosts Lunchtime Dialogues that:

  • facilitate compassionate dialogue that nurtures the diversity of our journeys
  • foster the intersection of, and conversation between, all faith and academic journeys
  • organize occasions for faculty to meet and support one another
  • offer opportunities to "see one another" and find the commonalities in our journeys

Upcoming Faculty Dialogues

During the last 13 years, The Center for Faith & Learning has hosted a total of 85 Faculty Luncheons - with 3 faculty presenters at each luncheon, over 250 past and present VU faculty have presenters at our luncheons!

We facilitate 8 Faculty Lunchtime Dialogues per academic year. At each Dialogue, three VU faculty present their Teaching or Faith Journey stories (8-10 minutes each).

To be a presenter at an upcoming Faculty Dialogue, you may nominate yourself or a faculty colleague for either of the gathering topics:

  • "Teaching Is a Vocation" 
  • "Witnessing Our Faith Journey"

by emailing Beth Hassel with questions or for more information about the Faculty Lunchtime Dialogues.

Thursday, September 14, 2023 | Noon–1PM | Corr Lounge
Teaching is a Vocation: My Story
Gabriele Bauer VITAL
John Cunicelli  Spanish  CLAS
Amy Kratchman Finance and Real Estate VSB

Wednesday, October 25, 2023 | Noon–1PM | St. Rita Community Room
Teaching: A journey in faith
Lerai Martin Nursing  FCN
Qi Wang Schlupp Communications CLAS
Cathy Toner VSB

Tuesday, December 5, 2023 | Noon–1PM | St. Rita Community Room
Teaching: A journey in faith
Noelle Comolli Chemical and Biological Engineering
Jean Lutes English CLAS
Dana Saxon Physics CLAS

Tuesday, January 30, 2024 | 12–1PM | St. Rita Community Room
Teaching is a Vocation: My Story
Michael Heinrich Chemistry and Physics CLAS
Stephanie Katz Linkmeyer Chemistry
John Lydon, OSA  Theology

Monday, February 12, 2024 | 12–1PM | St. Rita Community Room
Teaching: A journey in faith
Vikram Kamat Mathematics and Statistics CLAS
John Abubakar, OSA Theology and Religious Studies CLAS

Wednesday, March 20, 2024 | 12–1PM | St. Rita Community Room
Teaching is a Vocation: My Story
Veronika Ryjik Spanish CLAS
Valentina DeNardis Classical Studies CLAS
Stephen Kelly Management VSB  

Thursday, April 18, 2024 | Noon–1PM | St. Rita Community Room
Teaching: A journey in faith
Daniel Smith Nursing Nursing FCN
Krystin Sessions Ethics CLAS
Mary Ellen O’Donnell Theology and Religious Studies CLAS

Exploring Teaching as Vocation

January 22, 2020

  • Peter Spitaler, PhD
  • Mary Beth Simmons, MFA
  • Christine Speidel, Law

October 29, 2019

  • Raisa Velthuis, PhD
  • Sherry Burrell, PhD, RN
  • Peter Koch, PhD

September 16, 2019

  • Troy Shirangi, PhD
  • Rebecca Feldman, JD
  • Chelsea Phillips, PhD

November 15, 2018

  • Stacey Havlik, PhD
  • Flannery Stevens, PhD
  • Paul Bernhardt, PhD

October 3, 2018

  • Amy McKeever, PhD
  • Michael Zimmerman, PhD
  • Meredith Bergey, PhD

March 19, 2018

  • Barbara Zimmerman, PhD, Computer Science
  • Justinus A. Satrio, PhD, Engineering
  • Elizabeth Petit de Mange, PhD, Nursing

January 25, 2018

  • Theresa Capriotti, PhD, Nursing
  • Edward L. Fitzpatrick, PhD, Astronomy & Astrophysics
  • Amy K. Way, PhD, Communications

November 15, 2017

  • Valerie Joyce, PhD, Theatre
  • Dennis Wykoff, PhD, Biology
  • Masako Hamada, PhD, Global Interdisciplinary Studies

September 19, 2017

  • Mark C. Alexander, PhD, Dean VLS
  • Joyce E.A Russell, PhD, Dean VSB
  • Deborah J, Tyksinski, PhD, Dean CPS

April 20, 2017

  • Bruce Pollack-Johnson, PhD, Mathematics and Statistics
  • Bing-Bing Qi, PhD, RN, Nursing
  • Virginia Smith, PhD, Civil and Environmental Engineering

February 15, 2017

  • Vikram K. Iyengar, PhD, Biology
  • Mary T. Kelly, PhD, Economics
  • Klaus E. Volpert, PhD, Mathematics and Statistics

November 16, 2016

  • Albert Shin, PhD, Ethics
  • Beth Vallen, PhD, Marketing and Business Law

October 4, 2016

  • David Fiorenza, MBA, Economics
  • Kate Meloney, MSS, MLSP, Sociology-CRM

April 12, 2016

  • Chiji Akoma, PhD, English
  • Rachel J. Smith, PhD, Theology and Religious Studies
  • Gaynor Strickler, PhD, Sociology

February 3, 2016

  • James Emig, PhD, CPA, Accountancy and Information Systems
  • Sally Scholz, PhD, Philosophy
  • Robert G. Traver, Ph.D., P.E., WRE, Civil and Environmental Engineering

November 18, 2015

  • John Durnin, PhD, Education and Counseling
  • Denise Hanes Downey, PhD, Accountancy
  • Bonnie Henderson, PhD, Geography and the Environment

October 6, 2015

  • Matthew Liberatore, PhD, Management and Operations
  • Sherry Perlmutter Bowen, PhD, Communication
  • Barry Selinsky, PhD, Associate Dean, Research and Faculty Development; Chemistry

April 15, 2015

  • Olukunle Owolabi, PhD, Political Science
  • Louise Russo, PhD, Biology
  • Charles Zech, PhD, Economics; Center for Church Management and Business Ethics

November 11, 2014

  • Linda Carman Copel, PhD, RN, PMHCNS, BC, NCC, CNE, ANEF, FAPA, Nursing
  • John Immerwahr, PhD, Philosophy
  • Robert Nydick, PhD, Management

October 22, 2014 - VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY SUSTAINABILITY DAY

  • Seri Park, PhD, Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • William Stehl, Associate Director, Campus Ministry - Center for Peace and Justice Education
  • Nathaniel Weston, PhD, Geography and the Environment

April 9, 2014

  • Aronte Bennett, PhD, Marketing and Business Law
  • David Dinehart, PhD, Civil and Environmental Engineering
  • Joseph Orkwiszewski, PhD, Biology; Associate Dean for Baccalaureate Studies

February 25, 2014

  • Amy Fleischer, PhD, Mechanical Engineering
  • Craig Wheeland, PhD, Public Administration; Associate Vice President Academic Affairs
  • Teresa Wojcik, PhD, Education and Counseling

November 12, 2013

  • Theodore Arapis, PhD, Public Administration
  • Shauna MacDonald, PhD, Communications
  • Katina Sawyer, PhD, Psychology

October 9, 2013

  • Rev. Kail C. Ellis, PhD, OSA, Vice President for Academic Affairs
  • M. Louise Fitzpatrick, EdD, RN, FAAN, Connelly Endowed Dean and Professor, College of Nursing
  • John Y. Gotanda, Dean, Professor of Law

March 20, 2013

  • Mark Doorley, PhD, Ethics
  • Adele Lindenmyer, PhD, History; Dean of Graduate Studies, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
  • Nancy Sharts-Hopko, PhD, RN, FAAN College of Nursing Professor and Director, PhD Program

November 6, 2012

  • David Barrett, PhD, Political Science
  • Lara Brown, PhD, Political Science
  • Christine Palus, PhD, Public Administration

September 12, 2012

  • Gary Gabriele, PhD, Dean, College of Engineering
  • JeanAnn Linney, PhD, Dean, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
  • Patrick Maggitti, PhD, Dean, Villanova School of Business

April 17, 2012

  • Fr. Joseph L. Farrell, OSA, Office for Mission & Ministry
  • Terry Nance, PhD, Communications
  • Vito Punzi, PhD, Chemical Engineering

February 6, 2012

  • Fr. Francis Caponi, OSA - Theology and Religious Studies
  • Mary Desmond, PhD, Biology
  • Angela Di Benedetto, PhD, Biology

November 7, 2011

  • Peter Busch, PhD, Augustine and Culture Seminar
  • Frank Falcone, MS, Civil & Environmental Engineering
  • Fr. Joseph Ryan, OSA, History
  • Rebecca Winer, PhD, History

Witnessing to Our Faith Traditions

November 14, 2019

  • James Kriesel, PhD, Romance Languages & Literature
  • Stephen Liedtka, PhD, Accountancy
  • Ilia Delio, OSF, PhD, Theology & Religious Studies

October 2, 2019

  • Farshid Baghai, PhD, Philosophy
  • Sherry Burrell, PhD, RN, Nursing
  • Raul Diego Rivera Hernandez, PhD, Romane Languages & Literature

Tuesday October 30, 2018

  • Darren Poley, PhD, CLAS
  • Ross Lee, PhD, Engineering
  • Amanda Grannas, PhD, Chemistry

September 17, 2018

  • Michele Pistone, PhD, Law
  • Robert Giuliano, PhD, Chemistry
  • Christy Lang Hearlson, PhD, Theology

April 19, 2018

  • Anne P. Schneider, PhD, Nursing
  • Kevin Minbiole, PhD, Chemistry
  • Kerry PC San Chirico, PhD, Theology & Religious Studies

February 7, 2018 

  • Bette Mariani, PhD, Nursing
  • Luca Cottini, PhD, Romance Languages & Literature
  • Christa Bialka, PhD, Education & Counseling

November 7, 2017

  • Allan Fitzgerald, OSA, ACS
  • Juanita Weaver, PhD, Communication
  • Rosario Drago, PhD, Marketing

September 6, 2017

  • Kaley M. Carpenter, PhD, ACS
  • Frank P. Hampton, PhD, Engineering
  • Catherine Todd Magel, PhD, Nursing

March 22, 2017

  • Elizabeth-Jane McGuire, PhD, Augustine and Culture Seminar
  • Helene Moriarty, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN, Nursing
  • Chris Schmidt, Ph.D., LPC, LMFT, Education and Counseling

January 26, 2017

  • Shelley Hickey, MSN, BN, RN, Nursing
  • John Paul Spiro, MA, Augustine and Culture Seminar Program

November 3, 2016

  • Michael J. Campbell, JD, Law
  • Sunny G. Hallowell, PhD, PPCNP-BC, IBCLC, Nursing

September 7, 2016

  • Marta Guron, PhD, Chemistry
  • James O’Brien, MA, ME, Mechanical Engineering
  • Alain Phares, PhD, Physics

March 16, 2016

  • Camille Burge, PhD, Political Science
  • Sohail Chaudhry, PhD, Management and Operations
  • Anthony J. Godzieba, PhD, Theology and Religious Studies

January 21, 2016

  • Kevin Hughes, PhD, Theology and Religious Studies
  • Michelle M Kelly, PhD, CRNP, Nursing
  • Dorothy Skaf, PhD, Chemical Engineering

November 10, 2015

  • Seth Matthew Fishman, PhD, Education and Counseling
  • Daniel Regan, PhD, Philosophy
  • Carol Weingarten, PhD, Nursing

September 9, 2015

  • Lawrence Cozzens, PhD, Psychology
  • Tamara Kear, PhD, RN, CNS, CNN, Nursing
  • Alan Pichanick, PhD, Augustine and Culture Seminar

March 17, 2015

  • Greg Bonner, PhD, Marketing
  • Meredith MacKenzie, PhD, Nursing
  • Sayed Omran, PhD, Global Interdisciplinary Studies

January 28, 2015

  • Jennifer Joyce, PhD, Augustine and Culture Seminar; Center for Peace and Justice Education
  • Lawrence Little, PhD, History
  • Alfonso Ortega, PhD, Associate Vice President for Research and Graduate Programs; James R. Birle Professor of Energy Technology, Mechanical Engineering

October 1, 2014

  • Hibba Abugideiri, PhD, History
  • Timothy Brunk, PhD, Theology and Religious Studies
  • Mercedes Juliá, PhD, Romance Languages and Literature

September 9, 2014

  • Q Chung, PhD, Accountancy and Information Systems        
  • Maghan Keita, PhD, Global Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Rose O’Driscoll, MSN, RN, Assistant Dean for Administration, College of Nursing

March 18, 2014

  • C. 'Nat' Nataraj, PhD, Mechanical Engineering
  • Lisa Rodrigues, PhD, Geography and the Environment
  • Mark Scott, PhD, Augustine and Culture Seminar Program

January 29, 2014

  • Christopher Daly, PhD, Augustine and Culture Seminar Program
  • Michael Levitan, PhD, Mathematics and Statistics
  • Sara Reeder, PhD, Nursing

October 23, 2013

  • Edward Garcia Fierros, PhD, Education and Counseling
  • Ruth McDermott-Levy, PhD, Nursing
  • Rosalind Wynne, PhD, Electrical and Computer Engineering

September 10, 2013 - World Religions Day

  • Marylu Hill, PhD, Augustine and Culture Seminar
  • Fr. Joseph Mostardi, OSA, DMin, Campus Ministry
  • Pritpal Singh, PhD, Electrical and Computer Engineering

March 12, 2013

  • Gustavo Benavides, PhD, Theology and Religious Studies
  • Michael L. Capella, PhD, Marketing

February 27, 2013

  • Matthew Kerbel, PhD, Political Science
  • James Klingler, PhD, Management
  •  Kathy Overturf, MS, MA, Associate Director, Campus Ministry

November 14, 2012

  • Michael Posner, PhD, Mathematics and Statistics
  • Joanna Rotte, PhD, Theatre

September 18, 2012 - World Religions Day

  • Crystal Lucky, PhD, English
  • Douglas Norton, PhD, Mathematics and Statistics
  • Catherine Wilson, PhD, Public Administration

April 16, 2012

  • Gunita Grover, PhD, Finance
  • Emil Ricci, PhD, History
  • Paul Sheldon, PhD, Psychology

February 7, 2012

  • Ruth Anolik, PhD, Augustine and Culture Seminar
  • David Caudill, JD, Law
  • Jonathan Yates, PhD, Theology and Religious Studies

October 27, 2011

  • Lowell Gustafson, PhD, Political Science
  • Robert Styer, PhD, Mathematics
  • James M. Wilson, PhD, Humanities

Faculty Dialogue Luncheon presenters
Fall 2011 through Spring 2022 (alpha by first name)

• Adam Kuczynski, PhD,  Public Administration
  Adele Lindenmeyr, PhD, Dean of Graduate Studies, CLAS
• Alain Phares, PhD, Physics
• Alan Pichanick, PhD, Augustine and Culture Seminar
• Albert Shin, PhD, Ethics
• Alfonso Ortega, PhD, Associate VP for Research and Graduate Programs;
  James R. Birle Professor of Energy Technology, Mechanical Engineering
• Amy Fleischer, PhD, Mechanical Engineering
  Amy K. Way, PhD, Communications
• Angela Di Benedetto, PhD, Biology
  Anne P. Schneider, PhD, Nursing
• Anthony J. Godzieba, PhD, Theology and Religious Studies
• Aronte Bennett, PhD, Marketing and Business Law
  Barbara Zimmerman, PhD, Computer Science
• Barry Selinsky, PhD, Research and Faculty Development; Chemistry
• Beth Vallen, PhD, Marketing and Business Law
  Bette Mariani, PhD, Nursing
• Bing-Bing Qi, PhD, RN, Nursing
• Bonnie Henderson, PhD, Geography and the Environment
• Bruce Pollack-Johnson, PhD, Mathematics and Statistics
• C. 'Nat' Nataraj, PhD, Mechanical Engineering
• Camille Burge, PhD, Political Science
• Carol Weingarten, PhD, Nursing
• Catherine Wilson, PhD, Public Administration
• Charles Zech, PhD, Economics; Church Management/Business Ethics
  Chelsea Phillips, PhD, Theatre
• Chiji Akoma, PhD, English
• Chris Schmidt, Ph.D., LPC, LMFT, Education and Counseling
  Christa Bialka, PhD, Education & Counseling
  Christy Lang Hearlson, PhD, Theology & Religious Studies
• Christine Palus, PhD, Public Administration
• Christopher Daly, PhD, Augustine and Culture Seminar Program
• Craig Wheeland, PhD, Public Administration; Asso VP Academic Affairs
• Crystal Lucky, PhD, English
  Dan Griffin, CRS
• Daniel Regan, PhD, Philosophy
• David Barrett, PhD, Political Science
• David Caudill, JD, Law
• David Dinehart, PhD, Civil and Environmental Engineering
• David Fiorenza, MBA, Economics
• Denise Hanes Downey, PhD, Accountancy
  Dennis Wykoff, PhD, Biology
• Dorothy Skaf, PhD, Chemical Engineering
• Douglas Norton, PhD, Mathematics and Statistics
• Edward Garcia Fierros, PhD, Education and Counseling
  Edward Fitzpatrick, PhD, Astronomy & Astronomy
• Elizabeth-Jane McGuire, PhD, Augustine and Culture Seminar
  Elizabeth Petit de Mange, PhD, Nursing
• Emil Ricci, PhD, History
  Ethan Schwartz, PhD,  Theology
  Evan Radcliffe, PhD,  English
  Evie Lengetti, PhD, Nursing
  Farshid Baghai, PhD, Philosophy
• Fr. Francis Caponi, OSA, Theology and Religious Studies
• Fr. Joseph L. Farrell, OSA, Office for Mission & Ministry
• Fr. Joseph Mostardi, OSA, DMin, Campus Ministry
• Fr. Joseph Ryan, OSA, History
• Frank Falcone, MS, Civil & Environmental Engineering
• Gary Gabriele, PhD, Dean, College of Engineering
• Gaynor Strickler, PhD, Sociology
• Greg Bonner, PhD, Marketing
• Gunita Grover, PhD, Finance
• Gustavo Benavides, PhD, Theology and Religious Studies
• Helene Moriarty, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN, Nursing
• Hibba Abugideiri, PhD, History
  Holly Ferraro, PhD, Management
  Ilia Delio, OSF, PhD, Theology & Religious Studies
  Irene Awino, PhD,  Communications
• James Emig, PhD, CPA, Accountancy and Information Systems
• James Klingler, PhD, Management
  James Kreisel, PhD, Romance Languages & Literature
• James M. Wilson, PhD, Humanities
• James O’Brien, MA, ME, Mechanical Engineering
• Jean Ann Linney, PhD, Dean, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
• Jennifer Joyce, PhD, ACS; Center for Peace and Justice Education
• Joanna Rotte, PhD, Theatre • John Durnin, PhD, Education and Counseling
• John Immerwahr, PhD, Philosophy
• John Paul Spiro, MA, ACS
• John Y. Gotanda, Dean, Professor of Law
• Jonathan Yates, PhD, Theology and Religious Studies
• Joseph Orkwiszewski, PhD, Biology
  Justinus A. Satrio (Engineering)
• Kate Meloney, MSS, MLSP, Sociology-CRM
  Kathy Byrnes, PhD, VP Student Life
• Katina Sawyer, PhD, Psychology
  Kelly Good, PhD,  Civil Engineering
  Kerry San Chirico, PhD, Theology and Religious Studies
• Kevin Hughes, PhD, Theology and Religious Studies
  Kevin Minbiole, PhD, Chemistry
• Klaus E. Volpert, PhD, Mathematics and Statistics
• Lara Brown, PhD, Political Science
• Lawrence Cozzens, PhD, Psychology
• Lawrence Little, PhD, History
  Lee Makowski, OSA,  ACS
• Linda Carman Copel, PhD, RN, Nursing
• Lisa Rodrigues, PhD, Geography and the Environment
• Louise Russo, PhD, Biology
• Lowell Gustafson, PhD, Political Science
  Luca Cottini, PhD, Romance Languages & Literature
• M. Louise Fitzpatrick, Ed D, RN, College of Nursing
• Maghan Keita, PhD, Global Interdisciplinary Studies
• Mark Doorley, PhD, Ethics
• Mark Scott, PhD, Augustine and Culture Seminar Program
• Marta Guron, PhD, Chemistry
• Mary Desmond, PhD, Biology
• Mary T. Kelly, PhD, Economics
• Marylu Hill, PhD, Augustine and Culture Seminar
• Matthew Kerbel, PhD, Political Science
• Matthew Liberatore, PhD, Management and Operations
• Mercedes Juliá, PhD, Romance Languages and Literature
• Meredith MacKenzie, PhD, Nursing
• Michael J. Campbell, JD, Law
• Michael L. Capella, PhD, Marketing
• Michael Levitan, PhD, Mathematics and Statistics
  Michael Pagano, PhD, Finance
• Michael Posner, PhD, Mathematics and Statistics
  Michele Pistone, PhD, Law
• Michelle M Kelly, PhD, CRNP, Nursing
  Michele Marcolongo, PhD, Dean, Engineering 
• Nancy Sharts-Hopko, PhD, RN, College of Nursing
• Nathaniel Weston, PhD, Geography and the Environment
• Olukunle Owolabi, PhD, Political Science
• Patrick Maggitti, PhD, Dean, Villanova School of Business
• Paul Sheldon, PhD, Psychology
• Peter Busch, PhD, Augustine and Culture Seminar
  Peter Koch, PhD, Philosophy
• Pritpal Singh, PhD, Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Q Chung, PhD, Accountancy and Information Systems
• Rachel J. Smith, PhD, Theology and Religious Studies
  Raisa Velthuis, PhD,  Finance
• Raul Diego Rivera Hernandez, PhD, Romance Languages
  Rebecca Winer, PhD, History
  Rebecca Feldman, JD, Law
• Rev. Kail C. Ellis, PhD, OSA, Vice President for Academic Affairs
  Robert Giuliano, PhD, Chemistry
• Robert G. Traver, Ph.D., P.E., WRE, Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Robert Nydick, PhD, Management
• Robert Styer, PhD, Mathematics
• Rosalind Wynne, PhD, Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Rose O’Driscoll, MSN, RN, Asso Dean for Administration, College of Nursing
• Ruth Anolik, PhD, Augustine and Culture Seminar
• Ruth McDermott-Levy, PhD, Nursing
• Sally Scholz, PhD, Philosophy
• Sara Reeder, PhD, Nursing
• Sayed Omran, PhD, Global Interdisciplinary Studies
• Seri Park, PhD, Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Seth Matthew Fishman, PhD, Education and Counseling
• Shauna MacDonald, PhD, Communications
• Shelley Hickey, MSN, BN, RN, Nursing
• Sherry Perlmutter Bowen, PhD, Communication
  Sherry Burrell, PhD, RN,  Nursing
• Sohail Chaudhry, PhD, Management and Operations
  Stephen Liedtka, PhD, Accountancy
• Sunny G. Hallowell, PhD, PPCNP-BC, IBCLC, Nursing
• Tamara Kear, PhD, RN, CNS, CNN, Nursing
  Tania Romero, PhD, Communications
• Teresa Wojcik, PhD, Education and Counseling
• Terry Nance, PhD, Communications
  Theresa Capriotti, PhD, Nursing
• Theodore Arapis, PhD, Public Administration
• Timothy Brunk, PhD, Theology and Religious Studies
  Tracy Oliver, PhD,  Nursing
  Troy Shirangi, PhD,  Biology
• Vikram K. Iyengar, PhD, Biology
• Virginia Smith, PhD, Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Vito Punzi, PhD, Chemical Engineering
• William Stehl, Asso Director, Campus Ministry - Center for Peace/Justice