FORT WAYNE, Ind. — University of Saint Francis Assistant Professor Tricia Bugajski has been selected to participate in the seminar Teaching Interfaith Understanding at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, June 17–21. Bugajski competed against a large number of other faculty members throughout the country for this opportunity and is one of only 25 faculty members selected for this seminar.
This seminar, led by Laurie Patton, president of Middlebury College, and Eboo Patel, founder and president of Interfaith Youth Core, will examine the substantial theoretical questions inherent in teaching interfaith understanding and explore the practical work of translating these ideas into courses. Participating faculty members will have opportunities to develop teaching resources such as syllabi and course modules that may be shared online with colleagues at many other institutions. The seminar will blend text-based discussions of key theoretical concepts, experiential activities such as visiting sites and practicing models of interfaith dialogue, and analysis of tools to teach interfaith cooperation.
Bugajski says, “As a representative of the University of Saint Francis, as well as a Secular Franciscan, this seminar provides me the opportunity to connect with others of different faith traditions to create a space that is welcoming to our community as a whole and continue the work of learning and growing from one another.”
Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the University of Saint Francis offers more than 70 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs through the School of Health Sciences, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Keith Busse School of Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership and School of Creative Arts. In addition to its traditional programs, USF designs focused curricula for working adults in Fort Wayne, Crown Point and online. In 2016, the University of Saint Francis expanded its presence to downtown Fort Wayne. USF Downtown houses the university’s business and music technology programs while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. The University of Saint Francis campus experience includes 16 athletic programs boasting two individual and four team NAIA national championships, and is recognized as an NAIA Five-Star Champion of Character institution. Approximately 2,300 students from a broad geographic region attend USF.