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Department ofReligious Studies

Stories

Annual Spring Reception

The Religious Studies Department gathered in Adobe Lodge for the Annual Spring Reception on Thursday May 25th . It was an enjoyable opportunity to reflect on the the academic year that was about to close and celebrate the achievements of our graduating majors and minors. David Gray, serving as MC, welcomed all of the participants, and Jean Molesky-Poz provided a moving invocation. After enjoying a delicious Italian-themed dinner, we welcomed to the newmembers of Theta Alpha Kappa, presented awards, and honored our graduating majors and minors.

David Gray, serving as MC, welcomed all the participants, and Jean Molesky-Poz provided a moving invocation. After enjoying a delicious Italian-themed dinner, we welcomed the new members of Theta Alpha Kappa, presented awards, and honored our graduating majors and minors.

There were two highlights to the evening: Akiba Lerner’s talk and our student speakers. Regarding the former, Akiba Lerner discussed how a Santa Clara University education can prepare our students to live and prosper in contemporary America, focusing on the 3 C's, Competence, conscience, and compassion, which he highlighted with fascinating examples and anecdotes from the Jewish Bible and contemporary politics.

The other highlight was the reflections of the graduating majors and minors, who spoke of their experiences in the department. They thanked faculty who they found particularly inspiring and spoke of their intellectual and spiritual growth as they made the transition from new students to seniors on the verge of graduation. They were joined by one of our alumna, Amia Nash, a Religious Studies minor from the Class of 2015, who also spoke words of encouragement to our students. As always, their reflections were very moving for everyone attending the reception.


Awards

People posing and smiling at a 2017 awards event.
Photo above: David Gray with (L-R) Julie Dinh, Katherine Tarrant, Meghan Carlsen, Paul Kenniston.

The University and the various undergraduate colleges award several prizes and honors each year for exceptional research and service by Santa Clara University students. We would like to honor and acknowledge those religious studies majors and minors who have earned the high regard of the department and the University.

2017 recipients include:

Religious Studies Prize:  Julie Dinh

Theodore J. Mackin Senior Paper Award:  Julie Dinh and Paul Kenniston

Tennant C. Wright, SJ Award for Outstanding RS Minor:  Meghan Carlsen

Catherine Bell Award:  Katherine Meyer and Katherine Tarrant

Joseph Grassi Social Justice Award:  Julie Dinh


New Theta Alpha Kappa Honor Society Members:

Paul Kenniston

Mackenzie Throne

Kaitlin Weideman

Emily Stewart

Katherine Meyer

Katherine Tarrant

Grace Zimmerman


Class of 2017

Majors

Maria Bateman
Julie Dinh
Jennifer Gleitsmann
Harrison Kunz
Paul Kenniston

Minors

Kathryn Burke
Meghan Carlsen
Jessica Frydenberg
Nicole Nasser
Deanna Smith
Mackenzie Throne
Kaitlin Weideman