the boisi center report from the director vol. 18 no. 2 • may 2018 Friends: about the research behind her book Bible Two very exciting events closed our Nation: The United States of Hobby Lobby, semester: on April 26, the Boisi Center It’s been a busy and which narrated the creation of the new hosted a panel discussion on “Pope Fran- exciting spring here “” in Washington, cis and the American Church,” with pan- at the Boisi Center. D.C. Dr. Ron Lacro, from Boston Chil- elists Massimo Faggioli from Villanova We’ve been ener- dren’s Hospital, gave a riveting presenta- University, Rev. Bryan Hehir of Harvard getically engaged tion on the ideas of compassionate care University, and Lisa Cahill and Nancy sponsoring pro- for children to a packed house. Robert Pineda-Madrid from Boston College. This grams and speakers Orsi from Northwestern University, one event helped us to mark the fifth anniver- in the midst of of the most respected scholarly voices in sary of Francis’ election to the papacy, and the “winter that the study of American religion, talked generated some exciting conversation. wouldn’t go away” about his new project studying memory Finally, on May 30, the Boisi Center will (and spring is still just out of reach). But and violence among Catholic clerical host the inter-religious “Faith and Science the energy generated by both our speak- abuse survivors. The redoubtable E.J. Coalition on Climate Change” at Boston ers and our audiences have kept the chill Dionne of The Washington Post and the College. Catholic and Anglican bishops, out of the air. Brookings Institution delivered a rivet- ministers from a spectrum of Protestant Our two faculty seminars – one focused ing address entitled “Truth and Lies in a denominations, rabbis from various on “What Does Citizenship Mean Today?” Polarized Time”-- this year’s “Prophetic Jewish groups, Muslim scholars, and sci- and the other focused on prophetic Voices Lecture.” Our visiting scholar for entists from the Woods Hole Institute on theologian and writer Thomas Merton the 2017-18 academic year, Professor Cape Cod will gather to discuss how peo- – brought together faculty from various Mara Willard from the University of ple of faith from various traditions might departments (political science, African Oklahoma, convened a lunch seminar on be energized and activated to see the issue American and African diaspora studies, the project she has pursued this year – on of climate change as a religious and moral history, creative writing, philosophy and “Catholic Afterlives,” examining how, issue, as well as a scientific one. I am ) and from various schools within and in what ways, Catholics who have left genuinely delighted that the Boisi Center Boston College (the Law School, the Mor- the Church or who have redefined their is able to host this important summit. I rissey College of Arts and Sciences). The membership in unconventional ways would also like to thank the ILA for their lively conversations they generated over – continue to identify as “Catholic” in generous support. lunch (the “Citizenship” seminar) and their values and lifestyles. The “question Finally, it is with a note of sadness that I dinner (the “Merton” seminar) allowed and answer” sessions after all of these announce the departure of our energetic faculty to exchange ideas with colleagues engaging talks dramatically witnessed to and creative associate director, Erik Ow- they seldom have an opportunity to listen how these distinguished speakers elicited ens, to take over as director of interna- to (and in our best moments, debate insightful and sometimes passionate tional studies program here at Boston with), breaking through the kinds of responses from the audiences gathered to College. I am happy to report that our silos academia is famous for sponsoring hear them. very talented and hard-working graduate these days. Both faculty seminars have Recently the Boisi Center co-hosted a assistant, Jack Nuelle, will be filling in thus proven exciting and engaging on a reception, along with the theology depart- next year as interim program director as number of levels, and the Boisi Center ment and the Law School, to introduce we undertake a search for Erik’s replace- will continue to sponsor inter-disciplinary the incoming editor of Commonweal mag- ment. Erik offers his own set of reflec- faculty seminars next year. azine, Dominic Preziosi, to young faculty tions on his years here at the Boisi Center Our lecture series brought in a range and current doctoral students in BC’s in this newsletter, but all of us here wish of interesting and provocative scholars: theology department. The reception was, him Godspeed and continued success in Candida Moss, from the University of I think, a most welcome event, as the new his new endeavors. Birmingham in the UK, inaugurated our editor offered a brief talk on “5 Things to I was delighted to meet many of you at annual Wolfe Lecture (named, of course, Do to Make It Twice as Likely to Get an our events this past year, and I look for- for the Center’s founding and much-re- Article Accepted at Commonweal” to the ward to seeing you again in the fall. spected director, Alan Wolfe) by talking young scholars present. ~ Mark Massa, S.J.

the boisi center for religion and american public life at boston college bible nation: hobby lobby, scripture, and the making of america In her Inaugural Wolfe Lecture, Candida Moss connected the Green family and their Museum of the Bible to wider questions about religious freedom, education, and the role the Bible plays in the American project.

Moss discussed the Museum of the Reformation and disregards the signif- Bible and argued that the Green family’s icance of the Bible since that point. She actions sometimes seem inconsistent also pointed out that the Museum of with their public persona as messengers the Bible disregards the application and of Christianity. She also critiqued the significance of the Bible in other world Museum’s methods of acquiring artifacts religions, including Judaism, Islam, as and its approach to academic scholarship well as other denominations of Christi- surrounding the Bible. Moss discussed anity, such as Catholicism and Mormon- the importance of maintaining a consis- ism. Moss noted that when the Museum tent methodology in examining the Bible discusses the use of the Bible in history, and its application in society. Recounting it does not address seriously enough her visit to the Museum of the Bible, some problematic ways that the Bible has Moss highlighted the Green family’s been applied. For example, the Museum specific motivations for building this mu- includes but skates over the Bible’s role in seum. For example, she described the ex- justifying slavery. Candida Moss gives the Inaugural Wolfe Lecture. hibit that presents the Bible’s significance In her critique of the Green family and in history but noted that the timeline in the discussion of her book, Moss uncov- The Boisi Center welcomed Professor the museum ends with the Protestant ers the influence a family such as the Candida Moss, Cadbury Professor of Green family can have in the United Theology at the University of Birming- States. This influence spans numerous ham in the United Kingdom to Boston spheres of life, including education, poli- College. On February 7, 2018, Moss gave tics, and even the way we understand oth- the Inaugural Wolfe Lecture on Religion er cultures and religions based on how and American Politics, named for Profes- they are presented in museums such as sor Alan Wolfe, founding director of the the Museum of the Bible. Moss’s lecture Boisi Center. Moss discussed her recent highlights the need for critical scholar- publication, Bible Nation: The United ship in an age where biases can influence States of Hobby Lobby, and offered a brief the development of our own worldviews history of the Green family, a prominent and prevent us from engaging in critical Protestant Evangelical family that owns discussion and thought about the role of the chain of Hobby Lobby craft stores religion in American and global society. and funded the recently-opened Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. The More information and pictures can be found Green family entered the public eye as a on the event page. result of their central role in the Supreme Court Case Burwell v. Hobby Lobby. www.bc.edu/boisi-moss Mark Massa, S.J. (R) introduces Moss’s new book.

Moss and audience during her lecture. 2 the boisi center report catholic afterlives Boisi visiting scholar Mara Willard discussed the “sticky” nature of Catholic formation and recontextualizing a Catholic afterlife as a positive term and valid site for interrogating what it means to be Catholic. Mara Willard, assistant professor of reli- These include pilgrimage, the arts, com- gious studies at the University of Oklaho- munity service, and academic scholar- ma, delivered a luncheon colloquium at ship––all practices and identities of those the Boisi Center on the topic of “Catholic who had been formed as Catholics. Afterlives.” Willard is currently a visiting During the question-and-answer session, scholar at the Boisi Center, where she participants raised some issues for has been advancing her research on the Willard to consider in her book project. so-called “Crisis in the Church” of 2002. Some referred to the “stickiness” of the The latter is a book project that considers Catholic faith. Others highlighted that how initiatives for ecclesial reform in departure from the Catholic faith does not response to the clergy sex abuse scandal necessarily indicate hostility, but could were conditioned by the practices and Mara Willard addresses her audience. also reflect a lack of spiritual nourish- cultural shifts of post-war Catholicism. ment. Others urged Willard to consider Her March 27 lecture, which served as of Catholics that no longer claim a connection the behavior of “after-lifers” as trans- a forum for scholars to deliberate the to the Roman through a lens formed or at variance from Catholicism paradigmatic prospects and challenges of of “institutional loss.” This understanding, versus as persistently Catholic activities, her scholarly enterprise, addressed one Willard stressed, neglects post-affiliative roles while yet others stressed the salience of principal query: What cultural identities, (e.g., “alumni” and “veteran”) and effaces gender, class and sexuality as confound- social affiliations, and aesthetic prefer- “Catholic afterlives.” Another origin is the ing variables for “after-lifer” aesthetics. ences persist among Catholics who leave post-Vatican II biblical encyclicals on birth the Church? control. However, Willard dates her personal More information, recommended readings, interest to the outbreak of the Boston clerical and photos can be found on our event page. Willard began by foregrounding the sex abuse crisis of 2002. theological origins of her study as well www.bc.edu/boisi-willard as defining terminologies related to her Willard then outlined her research meth- project. One such origin is the outdat- odologies for her book project on “Catholic ed framework in the study of religion. afterlives.” She intends to explore not just the Sociologists and anthropologists have reasons for disaffiliation, but also what she customarily evaluated the growing body calls “gifts and sorrows of Catholic afterlives.” violence, memory, and religion among survivors of clerical sexual abuse Professor Robert Orsi shared stories of survivors of clerical sexual abuse and made suggestions for reframing the crisis in a way that leads to necessary clerical and institutional changes. In an early-April lecture, Robert Orsi, what their stories indicate about potential Church, he said that he hopes his work the Grace Craddock Nagle Chair in Cath- realities of the clerical sexual abuse crisis that will open new modes of conversation olic Studies at Northwestern University, had been overlooked or underplayed. Orsi has about the crisis. spoke about the spiritual lives of adult conducted interviews with several survivors More information and photos can be found survivors of clerical sexual abuse, and and in his lecture discussed his experience on our event page. learning about survivors’ relationship to the Church after their abuse. He told a story of www.bc.edu/boisi-orsi one survivor, Mary Rose, who felt abandoned by God and wondered if she should blame herself for the abuse. Orsi then explained how, for many years, reli- gion was not considered a significant factor in clerical sexual violence. Instead, religion as a potential exacerbator or accomplice to sexual violence has been downplayed, especially by the Catholic hierarchy. It simply served as a “dependent variable” in such discourse. While Orsi said he does not see a clear solution to Post-lecture discussion between Robert Orsi (R) and Mark Massa, S.J. (L). the problem of sexual abuse in the Catholic Robert Orsi answers questions following his lecture.

the boisi center report 3 truth and lies in a polarized time 17th annual prophetic voices lecture E.J. Dionne, columnist, professor, and political commentator, addressed the challenges faced by both the media and the person of faith in a political landscape fraught by fake news and Trumpian populism.

E.J. Dionne (L) and Mark Massa, S.J. (R) during the question and answer portion of the event.

On April 5, E.J. Dionne spoke to an latter entails the burgeoning of right- In closing, Dionne recalled a story audience of students and professors wing media wings such as Breitbart that from his son, erstwhile canvasser for about political polarization in the subordinate reasoned judgement and a political campaign, who once asked United States under the Trump sound evidence to unfounded opinion, an African American constituent, “Are administration. Dionne is a senior perception, and emotion. you going to vote in the upcoming fellow at the Brookings Institution, election?” “It’s our job,” the constituent Dionne then explored the implications columnist for the Washington Post, proclaimed, “because we’re Americans.” of Trumpism for American politics, and university professor in the religion, and journalism. According More information, a video from the event, Foundations of Democracy and Culture to Dionne, à la Alexander Hamilton, recommended readings, and photos can be at Georgetown University. His lecture Trump has chosen not just to “ride found on our event page. was both a meditation on what he the storm” of conservatism, but has calls “Trump’s attack on the truth,” importantly begun to “direct the storm.” www.bc.edu/boisi-dionne as well as an exhortation to scholars, Trump has particularly rearticulated media personnel, and citizens about one example of what Dionne calls responsible knowledge-sharing in a “essentially contested topics,” concepts time of resurgent ethno-nationalism. whose very definitions are constantly Dionne began by examining the challenged: populism. Trumpian strained relationship between Trump populism, Dionne argues, posits as a politician and fact-driven opinion. an exclusionary form of democracy He cited some examples of Trump’s premised on identity politics, intolerance in the early parts of his reactionary ideology, and anti-pluralism. campaign, especially casting the Dionne concluded with some media as an enemy of the people and admonitions for upholding truth in Kellyanne Conway’s statement about this polarized time. Citing Peruvian “alternative facts.” Such behavior, liberation theologian Gustavo Gutiérrez, Dionne contended, necessarily sprouted he called upon people of faith to place from developments in American a renewed emphasis on human dignity politics since the mid-twentieth century, and social suffering. Equally significant, including shifts in the strategies of he urged journalists to report on the the Republican Party and the partisan sources of today’s discontent, or what manipulation of digital technology. The Jonathan Cobb and Richard Sennett call former refers to assaults on the role “the hidden injuries of class.” of accountable media and bipartisan Boisi Center undergraduate research assistant Julia agreement in public governance. The Bloechl asks Dionne a question.

4 the boisi center report religion, spirituality, and compassionate healthcare: a conversation with dr. ronald lacro Dr. Lacro reflected on his personal history, best practices for compassionate care, and the power of vulnerability in healthcare.

On February 13th, Dr. Ronald Lacro, of discuss their faith together. It was in this Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard community that he met his husband and Medical School, with Erik Owens as continues to find spiritual fulfillment. interlocutor, spoke to an interdisciplin- He also enjoys singing for an adult ary audience of students and professors, Catholic rennaissance musical group about the importance of compassionate known as “Convivium Musicum”. As a care in our healthcare system. Lacro, Christian, Lacro knows how important who specializes in pediatric cardiology, and relevant faith can be in trying times. discussed how he maintains compassion- Thus, he believes it is important to learn ate practices and touched upon potential compassionate care through many reli- reasons why these practices are not more gious lenses, which he did by earning a common in the medical field. certificate in Clinical Pastoral Education through the Harvard Divinity School. Lacro began by discussing his biography His time in this setting allowed him and how compassionate care became an to gain a deeper sense of empathy for important part of his practice. Born in a patients from various backgrounds. small Hawaiian town, he was one of ten kids in a very religious family. Being a Dr. Ronald Lacro (L) and Erik Owens (R) Dr. Lacro’s powerful message was that “big family, small town, Catholic boy” in- in our moments of physical weakness, forms his compassionate practices to this employed sooner rather than later in treat- we are most vulnerable to those around day. He emphasized the importance of ment processes. us, especially healers. It is important that sitting with families and getting to know health care professionals embrace this The conversation also touched upon faith, them on a human level as he believes gift and tend to the spiritual needs of both in Lacro’s practice and his daily life. compassionate care practices “provide a their patients alongside the physical ones. He is a devout, gay Catholic man who is new set of tools to help families sustain part of a faith group known as Dignity. More information, a video from the event, themselves.” Lacro also mentioned that Dignity is a progressive community of recommended readings, and photos can be palliative care actually assists longevity LGBT Catholics who celebrate mass and found on our event page. and patient comfort, and should thus be www.bc.edu/boisi-lacro 2017-18 faculty seminar on citizenship This year’s seminar focused on different conceptions of citizenship, and the complicated understanding of citizenship today. Over the course of the 2017-2018 aca- demic year, Mark Massa, S. J., convened an inter-disciplinary faculty seminar on the theme of “Citizenship.” Each meeting was held at the Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life, rep- resented by both Erik Owens and Mara Willard. Candace Hetzner joined from the Morrissey College’s Office of the Dean, and spoke from her perspective in political science, along with David Deese who represented the department of political science. Jeffrey Bloechl (clockwise from left) Mara Willard, Martin Summers, Erik Owens, Vincent Rougeau, Jeffrey Bloechl, provided insights from the faculty of Candace Hetzner, M. Cathleen Kaveny, and Mark Massa, S.J. philosophy. From the Law School came Not-pictured: David Deese, Kenneth Himes, Arissa Oh Vincent Rougeau, Frank Garcia, and M. ing collegiality and intellectual curiosity and cultural questions about whether Cathleen Kaveny. Theology was repre- across the schools of Boston College. believers participate as equal citizens in sented by Kenneth Himes (and Kaveny). Global citizenship proved to be a robust American life. Each were agreed to be Arissa Oh and Martin Summers provid- organizing site for the sharing of brief, unusually smart, connected to the try- ed perspectives from history. externally-sourced papers that sparked ing issues of the day, and yet leavened In a capstone session, participants re- analysis and conversation. The conver- by friendship and sustenance. flected upon the tremendous success of sations ranged from theological anthro- www.bc.edu/boisi-facultyseminar1718 the faculty seminar. Connections over pology to “deep green religion,” from the lunch and the exchange of ideas across importance of institutions in maintain- disciplines had succeeded in deepen- ing the strength of civil society to legal the boisi center report 5 pope francis in america Four distinguished panelists gathered to discuss Pope Francis’ effect on the American Church five years after his election. For the last event of the 2017-18 his papacy needs external support. weaknesses since ascending to the academic year, the Boisi Center Hehir also commended Pope Francis role. Faggioli argued that the lack of an welcomed Lisa Sowle Cahill (Boston for travelling to a range of countries official Vatican spokesperson distorts College), Massimo Faggioli (Villanova around the world and for lifting up the the Vatican’s image and rhetoric in University) Rev. J. Bryan Hehir lives of the people he interacts with. countries where media culture is an (Harvard University), and Nancy integral part of everyday life. This lack Furthermore, Cahill and Pineda- Pineda-Madrid (Boston College), for of communication, in turn, distances Madrid explained how Francis’ use of a panel discussion on the state of the the United States and the West from papacy and Pope Francis’s relationship the Vatican and creates ecclesial and with the American Catholic Church. political rifts. Guided by questions posed by director Nevertheless, Cahill continued to Mark Massa, S.J. and members of the praise Francis for not only focusing audience, the panelists discussed the on the American Church, but also the successes and shortcomings of Pope global church. Francis’ use of prophetic Francis’s papacy, how the Vatican has discourse enables him to reach a functioned since his election, and diverse Catholic audience, particularly questions about gender and the role of members of the burgeoning Latino/a women in the Catholic Church. Early in From left to right: Mark Massa, S.J., Lisa Sowle Cahill, Rev. J Bryan Hehir, Massimo church in America. Additionally, the discussion, Hehir proposed three Faggioli, and Nancy Pineda-Madrid. Pineda-Madrid argued that Pope characteristics of an effective pope. Francis has brought issues of He maintained that he must be an symbolic, prophetic, and vernacular environmental degradation and poverty excellent pastor, a solid administrator, language serves as a positive sign of to the forefront of public attention and a smart diplomat. Accordingly, his personal connection to the Catholic by his willingness to openly discuss Hehir praised Pope Francis for largely Church. Pineda-Madrid referenced, such topics. The panelists agreed that succeeding in these three categories. for example, his use of Spanish at a Pope Francis is calling the American He said that Pope Francis’s ability Mass in Washington, D.C. during his Catholic Church to “a higher standard to connect with Catholics worldwide visit to the United States. She noted and a higher ground.” demonstrates a “magnetic quality about that, “symbols matter, and they matter him.” Most important, Francis has greatly,” in reference to Francis’s use of More information, recommended readings, appointed professionals to advise him symbols to lift up the Church and its and photos can be found on our event page. on financial and economic questions, members. However, Faggioli addressed having recognized that this is an area a few of Francis’s administrative www.bc.edu/boisi-francispanel theology and film 8th Annual Graduate Student symposium on Religion and Politics engaged the religious and theological in the medium of film. Starting in fall 2017, Boisi Center and Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... graduate research assistant Jack Nuelle and Spring (2003), by South Korean facilitated screenings and discussions director Kim Ki-duk. of theologically engaging or significant The goal of the seminar was to films from throughout world cinema. explore four main categories of film: The symposium was the 8th annual Scripture in film, films exploring in the Boisi Center series of graduate the contemplative, films that portray student symposia on Religion and religion in the modern world, and Politics. It was made up of interested films that examine religion through graduate students from around the a non-Western lens. Discussion BTI. Films screened, in order, were: touched on each film’s use of sound The Gospel According to St. Matthew and music, the consistent themes (1964), by Italian director Pier Paolo of violence and suffering, the ways Pasolini; Au Hasard Balthasar (1966) the sacred was represented visually, by French director Robert Bresson; the power of grace when portrayed Calvary (2014) by Irish director John cinematically, and the myriad ways Michael McDonagh; Timbuktu (2014) religion complicates and deepens by Mauritanian director Abderrahmane modern life. Sissako; The Seventh Seal (1957) by Swedish director Ingmar Bergman; www.bc.edu/boisi-symposium1718 6 the boisi center report The Seventh Seal movie poster. reflecting, with gratitude, on my years at the boisi center As I head into the And as tenure-track faculty positions final weeks of my continue to decline, there will be more job here at the and more scholarly work generated the boisi center for Boisi Center, I am from interdisciplinary academic centers religion and american immensely grate- that can host visiting faculty, postdocs, public life ful for the oppor- professors of the practice, etc. Combin- 24 Quincy Road tunity I have had ed with a mission to advance the com- these past twelve mon good, I think academic centers Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 years to shape and be shaped by the like ours are crucial. tel: 617–552–1860 work we have done at the intersection of Finally, I have loved working with my religion and public life. A few thoughts fax: 617–552–1863 many colleagues over the years at the come to mind as parting words. email: [email protected] Boisi Center. Alan Wolfe had the place www.bc.edu/boisi First, I believe in our mission, now humming with activity long before I more than ever: arrived, but we ramped things up and boisi center staff kept building over the next ten years The Boisi Center is committed to fostering ri- before he retired; I really appreciate his mark massa, s.j. gorous, civil, and constructive conversations about support and encouragement throug- director religion in American public life, in pursuit of the hout it all. Susan Richard has been a erik owens common good of a religiously diverse society. We consistently fun and expert colleague— associate director bring exceptional scholarship into dialogue with her bureaucratic jiu-jitsu has made so engaged citizenship and the creative arts, in order susan richard many good things happen here—and I to produce meaningful exchanges that inform, administrative assistant look forward to trading stories with her challenge, and inspire. In so doing we support about our families and pets for many jack nuelle Boston College’s Jesuit and Catholic commitment years to come. Mark Massa has been a graduate research to education that shapes minds and souls alike for assistant generous colleague this year as he has service to others. taken the reins and set a new course for omeed alidadi I’m proud of the work we have done over the Boisi Center’s very bright future. I julia bloechl the last twelve years amidst turbulent have also deeply valued my relationship susan kourtis events around the world, across the Uni- with our founding patron, Geoff Boisi, jorge mejía ted States, and here in Boston. We have whose passion for this work got the undergraduate research assistants tried to humanize the global refugee whole enterprise started. Perhaps the crisis, bring voices together across racial best part of my job, though, has been divides, examine Catholic intellectual working with and mentoring a host of Follow us on social media for traditions, reflect on the Boston Ma- amazing graduate and undergraduate Boisi Center news and events. rathon bombing and the tenth anni- research assistants over the years (in- versary of 9/11, talk about citizenship cluding our Dream Team in 2017-18!). I boisicenter and civic virtue in the age of Trump, now join the Boisi Center alumni club and so much more. At our best, I think that we started so long ago to keep in @boisi_center we accomplish the mission we set for touch. ourselves, at least for that moment, befo- re we must try to do it again and again, When I was invited by the dean to Boisi_Center in a consistent pattern that eventually become director of BC’s Internatio- forms generative habits of scholarship nal Studies Program, I knew it was a For complete information and and citizenship. great opportunity to shape the future resources on all of our events, of a program I love and have served as including audio and video re- Second, I believe in the importance a core ethics faculty member for ten cordings, transcripts, interviews, of academic centers as sites for public years. My focus in that role will natu- photos, videos, bibliographies scholarship and civic engagement. It rally shift toward the student experien- has been one of my great pleasures ce, our new curriculum, our growing and more, visit our website: here at the Boisi Center to connect with faculty, and the university’s global www.bc.edu/boisi. scholars doing related work at other cen- engagement initiatives. But you’ll still ters on religion and public life around find me in the front row of Boisi Center All Boisi Center event photos by: the world. The traditional academic events in coming years, a believer in its Christopher Soldt ecosystem is under serious strain, and mission, a supporter of its work, and an MTS Photography. centers like ours are well-situated to do admirer of its terrific staff and student work that impacts many publics inside workers. I leave with deep gratitude to and outside the academic community. them and to all the scholars who have contributed to our work. ~ Erik Owens the boisi center report 7 The Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life Boston College 24 Quincy Road Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 USA

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staff updates: what’s next? 2017-18 boisi center staff Omeed Alidadi, undergraduate research assistant and graduating senior, will be in Washington, D.C. working in international education policy, and deciding about graduate school. Omeed has been with the center for the past three years. We are excited to see what his future holds in store for him.

Undergraduate research assistant, and rising junior, Julia Bloechl will be in Nicaragua this summer doing research on fair trade, and will spend the 2018-19 academic year studying at Mansfield College at the .

Undergraduate research assistant Susan Kourtis, also a graduating senior, will be working for the CrossRoad Summer Institute at Hellenic College through the summer and hopes to work in a theology or education context before applying to graduate school next year. Clockwise from left: director Mark Massa, S.J.; visiting scholar Mara Willard; graduate research assistant Jack Rising senior and undergraduate research assistant Jorge Nuelle; associate director Erik Owens; undergraduate Mejía received the 2018 Oscar A. Romero Scholarship this research fellow Jorge Mejía; undergraduate research fellow past April. This summer Jorge will be interning at the Uni- Susan Kourtis; undergraduate research fellow Julia Bloechl; versity Neighborhood Housing Program in the Bronx in New administrative assistant Susan Richard; and undergraduate York City. research fellow Omeed Alidadi.

Graduate research assistant Jack Nuelle will be staying with the Boisi Center for the 2018-19 academic year and will be fall 2018 events TBA! stepping into the role of interim program director. He is also See our website for an updated schedule later this summer. actively discerning applying for PhD programs.