Search for endowed chair continues for religious department

Wanted: Distinguished professor to sit in the seat of the Virginia Commonwealth University Bishop Walter F. Sullivan Chair in Catholic Studies.

During a recent reception at university President Eugene P. Trani’s house, a few administrators, faculty and members of the community gathered to celebrate the announcement for the beginning of the nationwide and international search for chair of the program.

The chair is in name of Bishop Walter Sullivan, who retired from the Richmond area after his 50th anniversary as a priest and his 75th birthday.

Having an endowed chair is a really big deal for two main reasons, said Clifford Edwards, professor of religious studies.

“VCU is stepping into territory not often traveled by state universities, and we all should be proud of the foresight and openness to diversity that this new minor symbolizes.”

– Peter McCourt, instructor of religious studies and the Catholic campus minister

First, an endowed chair pays entirely for itself.

“A lot of private groups and citizens have donated money to raise an endowment of over one million dollars,” Edwards said. “This allows the program to have guaranteed funds via the interest on the account.”

“So, it doesn’t cost the university anything,” he added. “Interest on the endowment pays for the program.”

Second, Edwards said it will be the second endowed chair in all of the College of Humanities and Sciences, and both are in the religious studies department. The other is the Judaic Studies Program, with Jack Spiro as the director.

“So, we are really happy this is taking place,” Edwards said.

Peter McCourt, instructor of religious studies and the Catholic campus minister, said he is also excited about the addition of the endowed chair.

“It will be a feather in the cap of the university and the religious studies department,” McCourt said.

Amber Vojtecky, a junior political science major, said she thinks a good chair can help the program.

“I hope VCU chooses a chair that will attract more faculties to help the program continue to grow,” Vojtecky said.

Edwards said the search is likely to last until fall or even spring of the next academic year.

The religious studies department began offering the minor in Catholic Studies in 2004, in part hoping a strong program would be in place by the time the chair was found, Edwards said. The search is in its early stages, he added, and committee members must sort through invitation letters and nominations.

The minor in Catholic Studies came to VCU for a much more in-your-face reason, since the Monroe Park Campus is near the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart and the Catholic Diocese.

“We thought our situation was unique – we share the same campus with the Cathedral and the Catholic Diocese, which are all of the Catholic offices like the Spanish mission, immigration – and we hope that our students can work with them closely, get internships, that kind of thing,” Edwards said.

Recent surveys to study the interests and backgrounds of students in religious studies courses showed almost 20 percent of the students had Catholic backgrounds.

“Presently 334 students are enrolled in courses that many prove that they are interested in the minor, confirming the minor is doing well,” Edwards said.

It is actually unusual for a state university to have a minor in Catholic Studies, found more commonly at Catholic universities, but maybe it can lead to change for others, said Edwards and McCourt.

“I was still in high school when the announcement was made, but I was excited nonetheless,” said Vojtecky. “It offers a good alternative to Catholic universities, which are often very expensive.”

McCourt agreed that the change is promising.

“VCU is stepping into territory not often traveled by state universities, and we all should be proud of the foresight and openness to diversity that this new minor symbolizes,” McCourt said.