Center for Dominican Studies Events
2022-2023 Events
ODU's Center for Dominican Studies hosts a wide range of events throughout the year for students, faculty, staff and the general public. These events include Common Core seminars, Celebrations of Dominican Saints Feast Day lectures, its annual Center for Dominican Studies Luncheon series and more!
What is Our Call to Justice and Peace?
All seminars will take place at 3:30 p.m. in the Colonial Room
Thursday, September 8
“Reflections on Justice from the Biblical Tradition: From Lex Talionis to the Law of the Spirit”
Colonial Room, Sansbury Hall
Leo Madden, S.T.D., S.S.L., S.T.B.| Associate Professor of Theology, ODU
Thursday, September 22
“Poetic Justice: Socially Conscious Poetry from the American Revolution to Amanda Gorman”
Colonial Room, Sansbury Hall
Jeremy Glazier, MFA | Professor of English, ODU
Thursday, October 6
"Is Justice Possible?"
Colonial Room, Sansbury Hall
Ron Carstens, Ph.D. | Professor of Political Science
Thursday, October 20
“Coping with the Call to Justice: Tools for Working with and for Justice”
Colonial Room, Sansbury Hall
Kelsey Squire, Ph.D. | Associate Professor of English, ODU
Katie Gorman-Ezell., Ph.D. | Assistant Professor of Social Work, Capital University
Emily Phillips, Ph.D. | Assistant Professor of Exercise Science, ODU
Anjel Stough-Hunter, Ph.D. | Associate Professor of Sociology, ODU
St. Albert the Great Lecture
Nov. 16, 2022 | 11 a.m. - Noon
Matesich Theatre, Erskine Hall
Join us to hear Sr. Sharon Zayac, OP, present this year's St. Albert the Great Lecture. Mass will be celebrated in Matesich Theatre immediately following the lecture. All are welcome.
St. Thomas Aquinas Lecture
Jan 26, 2023 | 11 a.m. – Noon
Matesich Theatre
Join us to hear Sr. Marcelline Koch, OP, present this year's St. Thomas Aquinas Lecture. Mass will be celebrated in Matesich Theatre immediately following the lecture. All are welcome.
St. Catherine of Siena Lecture
Apr 19, 2023 | 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Colonial Room, Sansbury Hall
3:30PM – 4:30PM
Join us to hear from Sr. Joan Wolf who will present this year's St. Catherine of Siena Lecture "Opening Ourselves to Catherine's Mind and Spirit." All are welcome.
Journeying to a New Life
All events of this four-part Lenten Luncheon series will take place from noon - 1 p.m. in Erskine Hall's St. Catherine of Siena Room. Seating is limited; to reserve your seat and lunch for each session, contact Sr. Diane Traffas, OP at traffasd@ohiodominican.edu or 614-251-4722.
Wednesday, March 1
"A Pilgrim's Journey on the Camino"
Speaker: Elizabeth Gleason
Wednesday, March 15
"The Journey to Zero Waste"
Speaker: Mark Sigrist
Wednesday, March 22
"Journey of Empathy for Oppressed Students"
Speaker: Dan Little, Ph.D.
Wednesday, March 29
"Walking in Rhythm with Earth's Community"
Speaker: Theresa Schell
Event Archives
Looking for an event you may have missed or want to revisit? Browse the archives below
for information and video links.
Core Lecture Series
Sept. 9, 2021
Core Lecture Series: “The Common Good and the Early Christian Community”
Leo Madden, STD, Associate Professor of Theology
Sept. 23, 2021
Core Lecture Series: “Tackling Climate Change for the Global Common Good”
Daniel Little, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Oct. 7, 2021
Core Lecture Series: “From Sunflower Seeds to Sugar: The Role of the Common Good in
Contemporary Art”
Janette Knowles, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Art
Oct. 21, 2021
Core Lecture Series: “Criminal Justice and the Common Good”
Sonya Goshe, Ph.D., Assistant Profess of Criminal Justice
Nov. 4, 2021
Core Lecture Series: “Stepping Up for the Common Good”
Shaye Belcon, MSW, Sexual Violence Prevention Coordinator
Celebration of Dominican Saints
Nov. 17, 2021
St. Albert the Great Lecture | “Wise as an Owl”
Blake Mathys, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Environmental Science
January 27, 2022
St. Thomas Aquinas Lecture
Sr. Joan Franks, OP, Ph.D. | Dominican Sister of Peace
April 21, 2022
St. Catherine of Siena Lecture
Ron Carstens, Ph.D. | Professor of Political Science
Hearts Burning for Justice: A Lenten Luncheon Series
March 16, 2022
"Responding to the Cry of the Poor and Vulnerable"
Fr. Michael Hartge
March 23, 2022
"Responding to the Cry of the Earth"
Fr. Adam Streitenberger
March 30, 2022
"Responding to the Cry of Migrants and Refugees"
Fr. Vincent Nguyen
April 6, 2022
"Responding to the Cry of the Sick and Dying"
Fr. Sean Dooley
"What Does it Mean to be Human?” Seminar Series Schedule
Oct. 22, 2020
“What Does it Mean to be Human in a Capitalistic Society?”
Presenter: TJ Eveland, Ph.D., Director Graduate Programs in Business
Oct. 8, 2020 | “What Does it Mean to be Human in Great Literature?”
Presenter: Martin Brick, Ph.D., Associate Professor of English
Sept. 24, 2020 | A Psychological Perspective of What it Means to be Human
Presenter: John Marazita, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology
Sept. 10, 2020 | “What Does it Mean to be Human? A Panel Presentation”
Presenters: Robert Parks, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Theology; Matthew Ponesse,
Ph.D., Assistant Professor of History; Lawrence Masek, Ph.D., Professor of Philosophy;
and Jessica Hall, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biology
Dominican Saints Lecture Series
April 22, 2021: St. Catherine of Sienna Lecture
“A Voice of Reform for our Challenged and Challenging Times”
Presenter: Br. Mickey McGrath, OSFS, artist, author and storyteller
Event Details: This event took place via Zoom and was livestreamed in Matesich Theatre (2nd floor,
Erskine Hall).
Jan. 28, 2021: St. Thomas Aquinas Lecture
“Love and Justice in Aquinas and Our Lives”
Presenter: Robert Gervasi, Ph.D., President of Ohio Dominican University
Nov. 11, 2020: St. Albert the Great Lecture
“Interdisciplinary Scientific Inquiry: At the Interface of Chemistry and Art”
Presenter: Dr. Joan Esson, Professor of Chemistry at Otterbein University
2019-2020 Seminars on Truth
- Sept. 12, 2019 – “Truth in the Disciplines: A Variety of Perspectives”; Moderator: Michael Dougherty,
Ph.D., Sr. Ruth Caspar Chair in Philosophy. Panelist includes: Marlissa Stauffer,
Ph.D., Nicole Powell, Ph.D., Brian Besong, Ph.D., and Brad Nelson, Ph.D.
- Sept. 26, 2019 – “The Truth about Labeling: Advocating for Inclusion”; Presenter: Presenter: Kristall
Day, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Education.
- Oct. 10, 2019 –"The Truth about Generation Z: Developing a Broader Appreciation of Today's Student";
Presenter: Natalie Kompa, Ed.D., Assistant Professor of Public Relations & Marketing
Communications.
- Oct. 24, 2019 –"Truth in the Marketplace: From Socrates to Social Media"; Presenter: Robert Gervasi,
Ph.D., President of Ohio Dominican.
- Nov. 7, 2019 –"St. John's Henry Newman's Search for Truth"; Presenter: Leo Madden, S.T.D., Associate
Professor of Theology
2019-2020 Lecture Series – The Dominican Call: To Be Authentic
- Oct. 9, 2019 – “Prayer & Contemplation: In a New Light”
Speaker: Sr. Mary Otho Ballard, OP - Nov. 6, 2019 – “Study: Dominican Love of Truth”
Speaker: Sr. JoAnn Hohenbrink, OP, Ph.D.
Common Core Fall Seminars 2018-19 (Justice)
Justice and Global Poverty: Hearing the Cries of the Poor
Ronald Carstens, Ph.D.
Sept. 13, 2018
Justice for Immigrants: I Was a Stranger and You Welcomed Me
Julie Hart, Ph.D., Rev. Joel Miller, Joseph Mas, Dr. Austin Kocher & Edit Espinal
Sept. 27, 2018
Women, the Heartbeat of Society
Imali Abala, Ph.D., Virginia McCormack, Ed.D., Kelsey Squire, Ph.D. & Anjel Stough-Hunter,
Ph.D.
Oct. 11, 2018
The Racial Divide
John Grant, Ph.D. and Helen McKinley
Oct. 25, 2018
Dominican Saints 2018-19
St. Albert the Great Lecture - New Strategies for Targeting Cancer: Shining Light on Transition Metal Complexes
Claudia Turro, Ph.D.
Nov. 14, 2018
St. Thomas Aquinas Lecture - Light Out of Darkness: Dominican Stories of Justice
Sr. Kathleen McManus, OP
Jan. 24, 2019
St. Catherine of Siena Lecture - Justice - Seeing Catherine Through Contemporary Eyes
Sr. Megan McElroy, OP, D.Min.
April, 25, 2019
Hearts Burning for Justice Lecture Series
I was Captive and You Ransomed Me
Sr. Mary Joel Campbell, OP
Oct. 10, 2018
I was Homeless and You Sheltered Me
Sr. Nadine Buchanan, OP
Nov. 7, 2018
I Am the Light of the World
Sr. Carol Ann Spencer, OP
Dec. 6, 2018
I Am the Light of the World
Sr. Carol Ann Spencer, OP
Dec. 12, 2018
I was in Prison and You Visited Me
Sr. Germaine Conroy, OP
Jan. 16, 2019
I was Marginalized and You Came to Me
Sr. Margie Davis, OP and Sisters of Peace Associate Amy Thomas
Feb. 13, 2019
Common Core Series: The Common Good
"The Theology of the Common Good"
Presenter: Leo Madden, S.T.D.
Event date: September 14, 2017
"Building Bridges that Unite Us in Health Care"
Presenter: Shonna Riedlinger, M.MSc.
Event Date: September 28, 2017
"Preserving the Environment Benefits Everyone"
Presenter: Blake Mathys, Ph.D.
Event Date: October 12, 2017
"An Educator’s Perspective on the Complexities of Servicing the Common Good through
Education"
Presenter: Marlissa Stauffer, Ph.D.
Event Date: October 26, 2017
2017-2018 Dominican Feasts Lectures
St. Albert the Great Lecture
"Interaction of Light with the DNA"
Presenter: Bern Kohler, Ph.D. | Professor of Chemistry, The Ohio State University
Event date: November 15, 2017
St. Thomas Aquinas Convocation
"The Common Good According to Aquinas: God on Good and Evil"
Presenter: Rev. Brian Davies, OP | Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Fordham
University
Event date: January 25, 2018
Behold the Inheritance 2017-18
Where’s the Bathroom?
Sr. Barbara Kane
Oct. 11, 2017
Mercy in the Streets
Sr. Nadine Buchanan, OP
Nov. 8, 2017
Advent – A Time of Joyful Anticipation
Sr. Louis Mary Passeri, OP
Dec. 6, 2017
Mission Across Miles
Sr. Doris Regan, OP
Jan. 17, 2018
Welcome Into Courage
Sr. Rosemary Loomis, OP
Feb. 7, 2018
Lent – A Time to Focus Discipleship 1
Sr. Carol Ann Spencer, OP
Feb. 21, 2018
Lent – A Time to Focus Discipleship 2
Sr. Carol Ann Spencer, OP
Feb. 28, 2018
Lent – A Time to Focus Discipleship 3
Sr. Carol Ann Spencer, OP
March 7, 2018
Art – A Special Time to Preach
Sr. Thoma Swanson
April 11, 2018
Common Core lectures (Being Human)
“The Impact of our Criminal Justice System of Human Beings”
Dr. Chenelle Jones
Sept. 29, 2016
“The Changing Politics of Trust”
Dr. Ronald Carstens
Oct. 13, 2016
“Laudato Si: toward a Human Environment”
Dr. Ronald Carstens
Nov. 16, 2016
Dominican Saints Lectures
St. Thomas Aquinas Lecture
“Virtues, Reasons and Causes: The Fullness of Action in Thomas Aquinas”
Rev. John D. Corbett, OP, Ph.D.
Jan. 26, 2017
St. Catherine of Siena Lecture
Sr. Patricia Twohill, OP
April 6, 2017
St. Catherine of Siena
“Catherine of Siena and the Jubilee Year of Mercy”
Sr. Mary Ann Fatula, OP, Ph.D.
April 7, 2016
St. Albert the Great Lecture
- "Energy, Environment and Chemistry" Presenter: Umit Ozkan, Ph.D.
Event Date: November 11, 2015 (no video available)
St. Thomas Aquinas Lecture
- Presenter: Sister Barbara Reid, O.P., Ph.D.
Event Date: January 28, 2016
St. Catherine of Sienna Lecture
- Presenter: Sister Mary Ann Fatula, O.P., Ph.D.
Event Date: April 7, 2016
Fall Lecture Series: Seeking Truth
- "Seeking Truth: Truth in Science"
Presenter: Becky Graham, Ph.D.
Event date: October 15, 2015 - "Seeking Truth: Truth in Sports"
Presenter: James Strode, Ph.D.
Event Date: October 29, 2015 - "Seeking Truth: Truth in the World of the Internet"
Presenter: Timothy Walker, Ph.D.
Event Date: November 5, 2015
The Vatican Prophecies
- Presenter: John Thavis, Journalist and Author of "The Vatican Prophecies: Investigating
Supernatural Signs, Apparitions, and Miracles in the Modern Age"
Francis at the Vatican: A Pope for Our Times
- Presenter: David Willey, BBC Vatican correspondent and author.
St. Catherine of Siena Lecture
- Presenter: Perry Cahill, Ph.D., Professor of Theology and Academic Dean of the School
of Theology for the Pontifical College Josephinum
St. Thomas Aquinas Lecture
- Presenter: Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., S.T.L., Ph.D., President of Providence College
Fall Lecture Series: The Common Good
- "The Common Good in the Arts & Media"
Presenter: Ann Hall, Ph.D., ODU professor of English - "The Common Good & American Political Thought"
Presenter: Kathleen Riley, Ph.D., ODU professor of History - "The Common Good & Historical Challenges"
Presenter: Matthew Ponesse, Ph.D., ODU associate professor of History - "The Common Good & the Global Community"
Presenter: Sr. Teresa Tuite, O.P.
- "Practicing Non-Violence in a World of War"
Speaker: Father John Dear
St. Catherine of Siena Lectures
- "What We Have Seen, Heard & Touched with Our Hands"
Presenter: Father Brian Pierce, O.P. - "The Death Penalty in Our Penal System"
Presenters: Father Neil Kookoothe and Joe D'Ambrosio - "Immigration"
Presenters: Anton Flores and Eduardo Samaniego
St. Thomas Aquinas Lectures
- "Reflections on Earth Justice: That We Might Live"
Presenters: Sister Sharon Zayac, O.P., Director of Jubilee Farm - "Decoding the Vatican: Insights into All Things Vatican"
Presenter: John Thavis
Spirituality Series
- "Spirituality in the Marketplace: Is it Possible?"
Panelists: Dr. Julie Hart, ODU Associate Professor of Sociology; Dr. Ann Hall, ODU Professor of English; Jonathan Beshears, ODU Senior Accounting & Finance Major - "Dominican Spirituality: How is it Unique?"
Presenter: Jay Jackson, M.A., O.P.A., ODU Adjunct Professor of Theology - "Spirituality Only on Sundays: Is That All There Is?"
Presenter: Sister Louis Mary Passeri, O.P., M.A., Dominican Sister of Peace - "Spiritual but Not Religious: What's the Meaning?"
Presenter: Alison Benders, J.D., ODU Professor of Theology
Life of the Mind Series
- "How Can We Touch the Imagination of Our Contemporaries?"
Speaker: Timothy Radcliffe, O.P., Ph.D. - Does Christianity Have Anything to Say About How We Should Love?"
Speaker: Timothy Radcliffe, O.P., Ph.D.
Big Ideas of Vatican II
- This eight-week series drew large crowds excited about revisiting the Vatican documents
as the Church celebrated the Second Vatican Council’s 50th birthday.