Dr. Lewis Pearson began his Saint Francis journey as an assistant professor of philosophy in 2010. By 2023 his title and job duties had evolved to professor of philosophy and philosophy course coordinator. Most recently, Dr. Pearson became the interim dean of the College of Arts, Sciences and Business.

In his new position, Dr. Pearson uses two words to describe his focus: activation and relationship. On an individual level, his hope is to help everyone fully “activate” in serving students and pursuing Saint Francis’ mission. On a community level, his hope is to facilitate personal connections.

“Knowing the work of the professor from the inside out and knowing the Saint Francis student in the classroom are two touchstones that help guide my discernment when making administrative decisions about the work we do in the classroom serving our students,” he said.

Dr. Pearson shared that he truly enjoys his job. “I have always liked getting to know people, beyond chit-chat and into areas that really matter. I love that part of my job is meeting and listening to more people across campus, and about topics that are deeper and/or higher than just daily tasks.”

There is definitely a difference between his role as a faculty member and interim dean.

“When teaching my classes, I know what the common work is for teacher and student in the class,” he said. “I’m there from start to finish, and I know how the student is doing, so generally I know the history of any particular success, challenge or opportunity, and can identify its main contours. In my new position, situations are already in motion when they are first brought to my attention, and many of the situations are outside my typical fields of expertise and experience. Thus, much of my work now involves a lot of learning the personal and forensic features of a situation before making decisions and finding a mutual path forward.”

Dr. Pearson and his wife, Angela, have eight children and live on the south side of Fort Wayne. They are parishioners at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fort Wayne.