Philosophy & Religious Studies Success Stories

Success Stories

Hear what some of our graduates have to say about the Philosophy & Religious Studies program at SFU.

Lisa Moser

Degree

• B.S. Health Science, 2012
• M.S. Physician Assistant, 2013

Employment Status

Currently completing degree, hopes to work in an underserved area in western PA

Notables

• Winner of the SFU Student Service Award
• Nominated for Who’s Who Among American College Students
• Honorable mention for a presentation at the North American Undergraduate Conference in Religion and Philosophy
• Active on campus with Student Ambassadors, Peer Tutors, the Physician Assistant Society, and Hugs United
• Founded the student club, M.A.P.S. (Make A Patient Smile)
• Published "Listening With Compassion: The Benefits of Storytelling in the Healthcare Setting," in Spectrum (Spring 2012), a peer-reviewed undergraduate journal
• Second place, Gunard Barry Carlson Writing Contest for "Listening with Compassion"

Testimonial

"While at Saint Francis studying to become a Physician Assistant, I have taken many science classes with wonderful professors who really want us to learn so we gain the knowledge needed to be a health care professional. But what has really set my experience here apart is how all of the disciplines (sciences, English, religion/philosophy, etc.) work together to shape us into care providers who can empathize with our patients. During my time here I had the opportunity to construct an Honors Thesis entitled, 'Listening with Compassion: The Benefits of Storytelling in the Health Care Setting.' With this project, I was able to collaborate with people from all disciplines across campus and discover where health care at times fails and how care providers can better serve patients so the outcomes for both the patient and care provider can improve. Throughout this project, and in my classes in general, my professors have challenged me and demonstrated a genuine desire not only for me to do well but to become a better person. Overall, I feel better prepared to go out into the world and interact with my future patients in a way that will promote communication, understanding, and healing."

Andrew McKee

Degree

• B.A. History and Political Science (with honors), 2011

Employment Status

Enrolled in M.A. program in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia

Notables

• Winner of the 2011 Outstanding Student Award for Religious Studies
• Winner of the 2011 Margaret M. Tobin Award for Outstanding Library Research
• Second place for the 2011 Gunard Berry Writing Contest Second Place
• Published "Running into the Unknown: The Religious Dimensions of Distance Running," in Spectrum (Spring 2011), a peer-review undergraduate journal.
• University of Missouri Graduate Fellowship (2011-present)

Testimonial

"After bouncing around majors several times at Saint Francis, I met with Dr. Remillard on a whim, and was quickly drawn into the Religious Studies Department. I decided to take a required directed reading course with him as my ‘mentor’ and after several weeks he turned me on to a great interdisciplinary field, which I knew little of aside from the Faith and Francis course. From there, I worked closely with Dr. Remillard and others and with great assistance I went from an average student to a graduate student. Having a small department allowed me the freedom to work closely with professors and I was able to present at the Department’s co-sponsored, North American Undergraduate Conference in Religion and Philosophy twice, have a paper published in the school-run journal, and win a Tobin award for outstanding research. The Department of Religious Studies at Saint Francis opened many doors for me and prepared me for graduate school, something I had always viewed as a far off possibility. SFU gave me all the opportunity in the world to flourish, and prepared me for success upon graduation."

Dr. Nicholaos Jones

Degree

• B.A. Philosophy, 2000

Employment Status

Assistant Professor of Philosophy, University of Alabama-Huntsville

Notables

• Publications in Asian Philosophy, Biology and Philosophy, Philosophy East & West, Studies in History and Philosophy of Modern Physics, Zygon: Journal of Religion & Science, as well as an introductory ethics e-textbook
• First recipient of the Whetstone-Seaman junior faculty development award, sponsored by the Alabama Humanities Foundation
• Member of the Alabama Humanities Foundation's grants review committee
• Speaker at local community groups about issues concerning civility and morality

Testimonial

"I enrolled at SFC as a physician assistant major and completed 2.5 semesters of coursework before changing majors. As part of my prerequisites, I took PHL205 with G. Steven Neeley during my second year. Reading Thomas Aquinas' fourth proof for the existence of God, I remember thinking: This argument is ridiculous. I wrote a term paper saying as much. Then I returned to physician assistant studies, interspersed with a few courses in ethics and private meetings with Neeley. And then, in the spring semester of my junior year, despite protestations from my parents, I switched majors. I never looked back. Tim Menta guided me through a capstone course on Kant's first Critique (after which I presented my term paper at an undergraduate conference in Philadelphia); Neeley and Bob Stith (now retired) made themselves available outside the classroom to talk about philosophy and life in general; the extent of my prior coursework allowed me to pursue classes in mathematics and history; Pete Skoner took me to my first ever professional conference, at which I presented a mathematics paper; and Rosemary Bertocci exposed me to the nature of scholarly research in a seminar on Religion and Evolutionary Psychology. Apart from academics, a part-time job cleaning at the monastery gave me an opportunity to discuss theology and religion with the TORs; and a series of other jobs, including dishwasher in Torvian, lifeguard in Stokes, computer lab assistant in Scotus, and painter during two summers, helped me learn how to balance the opportunities of education with the demands of life."

Dr. Matthew Francis Ussia

Degree

• B.A. English Literature, 1999
• Minors: Philosophy, History, and Fine Arts

Employment Status

Instructor of English, Point Park University, Pittsburgh, PA

Testimonial

"I know a lot of people see a major in the Humanities as only a path to teaching. And while I ultimately became an educator, academia was my fourth career after college. I was a proofreader, ocean freight forwarder, and worked for a scientific publisher before beginning my life as a professional academic. In my time at St. Francis, I gained a valuable skill set that translates well to just about any working environment. Through studying Philosophy, I learned how to better read situations and make clearer decisions. I was good at all of my previous jobs, but my education instilled me with an ability to figure out what would make me happy. People who will be successful in the world of the future will have a high degree of information literacy, be capable of grasping a multitude of concepts, and be able to make their own decisions. I can think of no better foundation for success than a major or minor in Philosophy at Saint Francis."

Christopher Albanese

Degree

• B.A. History and Religious Studies, 2010

Testimonial

"I came to Saint Francis after being away from school for years. I was looking for a good Catholic education and found so much more. SFU is more than a school; it’s a campus community. The way of Francis – humility, generosity, reverence, service, respect, prayer, joy, and love – are integral parts of the experience at Saint Francis University."

More Comments from current/former Philosophy and Religious Studies Students

• "In order to build a better world, we must each lay a brick." -- Ryan Eckenrode
• "At Saint Francis, your professors will take a personal interest in your learning experience. Professors here pride themselves on their abilities to teach life lessons in the classroom." -- Drew Greenwald
• "Saint Francis University's theology and philosophy courses have pushed me to refine every aspect of my own belief system. There is no subject too taboo or too mundane. Every angle is examined, every stance defended, and the professors are truly open to all new ideas. It's a thorough process, and the results are students who are much more secure in themselves than they were before they entered the program." -- Eric Horell
• "Although I didn't really expect it to, taking the RLST205 course really helped change my view on a lot of topics, and most of them were not exclusively about religion. In particular, we read this book called "Half the Sky," which tells the stories of all of these women from third-world countries and how they were sold into sex slavery, mutilated, and abused. After reading this and taking the course, I wanted to learn more about these problems. I know it sounds cheesy, but the course really opened my eyes to a whole new set of topics I had never even considered before." -- Emily Hurley
• "No matter what you see or hear, no matter what anyone says to you, there IS good in the world. Open your eyes, mind and heart to it. Let the light in." -- Rayden Weber

More Comments from General Education Assessment Reports of 1997, 1998, 1999

• "The philosophy and religious studies courses have changed my outlook more than I ever could have imagined."
• "It is philosophy and religious studies courses that are going to help me be successful in society."
• "The biggest impact that has been made on me has been through my experience with religion courses."
• "I have learned so much through the two religion classes that everyone is required to take...the greatest impact that Saint Francis has given me is a much stronger knowledge of my religion."
• "Religion, language and philosophy classes have helped me to look at society in a different way."