Visiting Faculty

In addition to taking classes with the permanent theology faculty, graduate students often have the opportunity to take graduate theology courses with distinguished visiting faculty. Generally, the department of theology hosts:

• A distinguished Brueggeman Chair professor in the fall semester and
• A distinguished Beckman Chair in the spring semester.

The Brueggeman Chair is one facet of the Edward B. Bruggeman Center for Dialogue, whose mission is to foster a greater understanding of and respect among all religious traditions. The Center fosters a critical and contextual study of religions, and it promotes a dialogue among religions that will not only lead to mutual understanding and respect but also to effective interreligious cooperation in seeking solutions for the global issues of human and environmental suffering facing humankind today. The Brueggeman Chair is a distinguished scholar in a religious tradition who is committed to the mission of the Center. Past holders of the Brueggeman Chair include scholars from the United States, Europe, and Africa who have expertise in Protestantism, Catholicism, Judaism, Islam and Buddhism.

The John J. and Robert E. Beckman Chair of Theology was established in 1988 by Vincent and Paul Beckman and Irene Beckman Leverone in honor of their two brothers, John J. and Robert E. Beckman, who are members of the Society of Jesus. The holder of the Beckman Chair is generally a distinguished Jesuit scholar who is committed to sharing and enhancing the understanding of Roman Catholic theology in today’s world.