Renewal of Catholic Higher Education

Book excerpt: Renewal of Catholic Higher Education: Essays on Catholic Studies in Honor of Don J. Briel celebrates twenty years of the Catholic Studies Program at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the leadership of Don J. Briel, PhD, in founding and guiding the development of the program. It arose from a conference to mark the anniversary at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, gathering Catholic Studies professors, alumni and other scholars to note the achievements of Catholic Studies and to reflect on the ways in which it can continue to impact Catholic higher education more broadly. The book opens with a foreword by George Weigel. The first section situates Catholic Studies within current challenges facing the university, and includes chapters from scholars such as Fr. Paul Murray, O.P., Michael Naughton, Jonathan Reyes and Russell Hittinger. The second section expounds the distinct pedagogy employed by Catholic Studies, as described by alumni and those who teach in Catholic Studies programs. It concludes with an afterward by Fr. Wilson Miscamble of the University of Notre Dame. In celebrating the first 20 years of Catholic Studies and the leadership of Don J. Briel, the book provides an excellent opportunity to reflect on the future challenges and opportunities for Catholic higher education. Catholic Studies emerged at a pivotal moment when Catholic universities began drifting from their religious identity and mission, and accepted the overspecialized and compartmentalized approaches of secular universities. Catholic Studies programs have made a significant step toward reuniting the various strands of university life, which began to unravel at this time. If Catholic Studies can fulfill three integrative tasks--reuniting faith and reason, faith and culture, and faith and life--it is poised to make a significant contribution toward the renewal of Catholic higher education. Renewal of Catholic Higher Education provides educators with an important opportunity to reflect on the nature of Catholic education and the steps needed to work towards its renewal.