Faculty

Dr. Dominic Colonna
Professor and Chair

1998 Ph.D., Fordham University
1989 M.Div., Yale University
1983 B.A., Connecticut College

Dr. Colonna received his Ph.D. from Fordham University in 1998 in systematic theology. He has been teaching at Lewis University since 1999 and he has served as chair since 2003. His primary area of research is theological aesthetics. The focus of his research is an examination of how theological doctrines can be effectively communicated through the arts (especially the visual, performing, architectural, and musical arts). His work has focused particularly on the effective communication of moral theological doctrines. In his work, he has examined how love is a response to intellectual and affective experiences of goodness, truth, and beauty. His approach to theological aesthetics falls under the broader category of theological anthropology with specific interests in epistemology, morality (especially sexual morality), and pedagogy that uses art. His publications include “An Echo in the Soul: Grace and Human Response (in Common Good, Uncommon Questions, Liturgical Press, 1997),” “The Trinity and Salvation” (in Sacred Adventure: Beginning Theological Study, University Press of America, 2006), and “The Trinity in New Mexican Folk Art” (in Listening: Journal of Religion and Culture, 2002). With colleagues at Lewis University, he co-convened a symposium at Lewis University in 2007 entitled God in the Material World: Roman Catholic Material Culture which included public talks, faculty colloquia, exhibits of material culture, and a musical performance.

Brother Raymond McManaman
Professor

1981 S.T.D., San Francisco Theological Seminary
1977 D.Min., Aquinas Institute of Theology
1972 M.A., Seattle University
1956 M.A., St. Mary’s College- Winona, MN
1951 B.A., St. Mary’s College- Winona, MN

Brother Raymond McManaman has taught at Lewis University for 38 years. He is a former Dean of Students and a former Chair of the Theology (then Religious Studies) Department. He is a member of the Advisory Committee of the University, Project of the Joliet Diocese; a member of the Academic Formation Committee of the Diaconate Program of the Joliet Diocese; and a faculty member of the Diaconate Program.

Karen Trimble-Alliaume
Associate Professor and Co-director of the Women's Studies Program

1999 Ph.D., Duke University
1994 Graduate Certificate, Duke University
1987 B.A., Loyola College- Baltimore

Karen Trimble Alliaume received her doctorate in theology and ethics from Duke University in 1999, where she pursued feminist and other liberation theologies of the United States and the developing world; systematic and constructive Christian theology; Catholic moral theology and Christian ethics; and interdisciplinary work in literature, feminist theory, and women's studies.
Her book manuscript, "Re(as)sembling Christ: Feminist Christology, Identity Politics, and the Imagination of Christian Communities," inaugurates a constructive dialogue between Catholic tradition and feminist and postmodern theory in relation to the doctrine of Christ, addressing questions of community, tradition, and identity. It is under revision for the Columbia University Press series "Gender, Theory, and Religion." Her essay, “Disturbingly Catholic: Thinking the Inordinate Body” appeared in Susan M. St. Ville and Ellen Armour, eds., Bodily Citations: Religion and Judith Butler, from Columbia University Press in 2006.

At Lewis, she has taught Introduction to Christian Theology, Search for Faith, Christian Action and Values, Christian Social Teaching; Christianity in Africa, Asia, and Latin America; Theologies of Liberation, Women and Religion; War, Peace and Violence in Christian Tradition, History of Christian Thought, Introduction to Women’s Studies, and the Women’s Studies Capstone Seminar.

She is on sabbatical for the academic year 2008-2009, and is spending the year as a Research Associate and Visiting Associate Professor in the Women’s Studies and Religion Program at Harvard Divinity School. The research project she will be pursuing at Harvard, "Bodies in Motion: Theologizing the Body in Catholic, Feminist, and Cultural Context," reflects her ongoing interest in the potential of the constructive intersection of feminist theory and Christian theology and ethics to promote passion for justice and for the dignity and worth of every human being. She will be teaching one course, “Feminism and Catholicism: Bodies in Context” during the Fall 2007 semester. She may be reached this year at kalliaume@hds.harvard.edu.

Dr. Clare Komoroske Rothschild
Assistant Professor

2003 Ph.D., University of Chicago Divinity School
1992 M.T.S., Harvard Divinity School
1986 B.A., University of California

Website: www.clarekrothschild.com

Dr. Clare Komoroske Rothschild
Assistant Professor

2003 Ph.D., University of Chicago Divinity School
1992 M.T.S., Harvard Divinity School
1986 B.A., University of California

Clare Komoroske Rothschild is an assistant professor in the Department of Theology. Her degrees include a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from the University of Chicago (2003), an M.T.S. in Theology from Harvard Divinity School and a B.A. in Classical Music from the University of California, Berkeley. Her dissertation appeared as the publication, Luke-Acts and the Rhetoric of History (WUNT 2.175; Tübingen: Mohr-Siebeck, 2004). This study offers a comprehensive analysis of Luke-Acts in terms of popular rhetorical techniques evident in the works of other Hellenistic and early Roman period historians. Her second book, Baptist Traditions and Q (WUNT; Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2005) provides an in-depth analysis of why current models of Q feature traditions concerning John the Baptist both prominently and favorably. Her third book is entitled, Hebrews as Pseudepigraphon: The History and Significance of the Pauline Attribution of Hebrews (WUNT: Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2009). This study presents the status quaestionis of the role of Heb 13:20—25, arguing that these few verses were not composed de novo. Rather, the author of Hebrews deliberately adopted words and phrases from a collection of accepted Pauline materials to imply apostolic authorship for the work overall. The goal of this forgery was to foster a perception of the book’s often radical views as orthodox. The discussion is informed by, but also attempts to move beyond the latest understandings of pseudonymity among early Christian texts.

Her tertiary interests take in other aspects of the literary worlds of Graeco-Roman and Second Temple Judaism in its various forms of expression in Palestine and the Diaspora. Past research projects include Second Temple Jewish creation cosmologies, as well as the epistemology of Jewish wisdom literature. In 1999, a generous fellowship led her to spend a few weeks at an archaeological site in Israel with the Combined Caesarea Expeditions. In 2006 she received a Humboldt Fellowship to spend the academic school year in Munich, Germany. In January 2009 she took part in Emory University’s two and a half week long Turkey Research Travel Seminar where she lectured on Pisidian Antioch. In Summer 2009 she received an additional Humboldt Fellowship to research her fourth book project at Humboldt University in Berlin.

She has held teaching positions at McCormick Seminary, Xavier University, Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame and DePaul University. Courses include Hebrew Bible, Jewish Wisdom Literature, Early Christian Origins, New Testament/Early Christian Literature, and the Apostle Paul. She currently serves as editor of Early Christianity, new journal of the publisher, Mohr Siebeck. She also serves on the Steering Committee of the Society of Biblical Literature’s Group, Corpus Hellenisticum Novi Testamenti, and is an active member of the Society of Biblical Literature, Catholic Biblical Association, North American Patristics Society, and Midwest SBL and Chicago Society of Biblical Research. Last year she served as President of the Chicago Society of Biblical Research. This year she serves as Vice President of the Midwest SBL. Each year she delivers research papers in seminars and conferences all over the world.

Dr. Maryellen Davis Collett
Associate Professor

2007 Ph.D. University of North Carolina
2001 M.A., University of North Carolina
1998 B.A., Williams College

Dr. Maryellen Davis Collett is an associate professor in the Department of Theology helping to develop a program in Catholic Studies. She received her Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) in the Religious Studies program (Religion in North America and Religion and Culture), with a dissertation titled Mary as Media Icon: The Madonna in Twentieth-Century American Catholic Devotional Cultures. Dr. Collett also received a M.A. degree from UNC-Chapel Hill for which she wrote a thesis entitled “Popery” or Patriotism?: Constructions of Catholic Identity in Antebellum Fiction. Her B.A. is from Williams College in Massachusetts. Dr. Collett has published and presented on the complex intersections of Catholicism and culture. Her publications include “Mary as Media Icon: Gender and Militancy in Twentieth-Century U.S. Roman Catholic Devotional Media” in Lynn Schofield Clark, ed. Religion, Media, and the Marketplace (New Brunswick, N.J.: Rutgers University Press, 2007) and “Lewis University as Sacred Space” in Celebrating 75 Years: Lewis University 1932-2007 (Wassberg, Schackmuth, Davis, & Cremin, 2006).

Father Daniel Torson, CPPS
Assistant Professor/University Chaplain

2001 Doctor of Ministry, Pacific School of Religion of the Graduate Theological University, Berkeley, CA

1995 Master of Arts in Liturgical Studies, St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN

1990 Master of Divinity, St. John's University, Collegeville, MN

1979 Bachelor of Music Education, University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a specialization in classical saxophone.

Father Daniel Torson is an Assistant Professor of Theology and serves as University Chaplain at Lewis University since 2006. He is a member of the religious community, the Society of the Precious Blood, Kansas City Province, for which he was ordained to the priesthood in 1990. His areas of expertise include: Liturgy/Sacraments, Pastoral Ministry, Christian Ethics, and Old Testament. In addition to his degrees, Fr. Daniel has completed advanced studies in Christian Ethics from Loyola University Chicago with research interests in Virtue and Narrative Ethics. Prior to coming to Lewis University, Father Torson spent ten years ministering at Catholic colleges and teaching for four of those years. Fr. Torson is a former member of the Nebraska Cornhusker Marching Band, the United States Air Force Strategic Air Command Band (Omaha, NE), and is an avid sports fan.

Dr. James Burke
Assistant Professor

2007 Ph.D., Loyola University-Chicago
1979 M.A., University of Chicago
1972 B.A., Notre Dame

Dr. Burke is an assistant professor in the Department of Theology, and director of the Lewis University Center for Ministry and Spirituality.

He earned a doctorate in Christian Ethics “with distinction” from Loyola University Chicago in 2007. Loyola’s Graduate School honored his dissertation, Crafting a Global Just Peacebuilding Ethic from Just War and Strategic Nonviolent Conflict, as“outstanding dissertation of the year in the humanities.” His research interests include: Catholic social teaching, war and peace ethics, nonviolent conflict, just peacebuilding, interfaith social justice collaborations, liturgy and justice, sexual ethics, formation in spiritualities of justice, contemporary lay movements, business ethics and ministries of the baptized.

Before being hired full-time in fall 2006, he taught three semesters at Lewis University (2002-2003, 2005). He was a lecturer in Christian ethics at St. Mary’s College of California, Moraga (fall 2003). His publications include: “Just Peacemaking—Opening Catholic Eyes, Too” (Theology News and Notes, Spring 2009); contributor to the forthcoming volume Just Peacemaking: A New Paradigm edited by Glen Stassen; “Where Have All the Pacifists Gone?” (On-Line Lutheran Journal of Ethics, 2003); and editor, “Preaching the Peace Pastoral” (Liturgy Training Publications, Chicago, 1984). In June 2007, he was an invited participant on the Christian team in an interfaith consultation on Abrahamic Religions and Alternatives to War Consultation, hosted at Stony Point, New York, by the Center for Theology and Public Policy, Washington, DC.

Dr. Burke holds a M.A. degree from the Divinity School, University of Chicago, and a B.A. in English from the University of Notre Dame.

For fifteen years prior to college teaching, he worked in justice-education programming and/or fundraising: most recently as a on-line development associate with Catholic Relief Services; earlier, as a regional development officer with the American Friends Service Committee, Chicago (1994-2002); and, as archdiocesan director of Catholic Relief Services/International Affairs in the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Office for the Ministry of Peace and Justice (1987-1994). Between 1973 and 1983, he worked as a journalist for three Catholic diocesan newspapers (Peoria, Joliet and Chicago) consecutively, and for the U.S. Catholic bishops’ wire service, then-National Catholic News Service, Washington, DC. He was a university minister at DePaul University (1985).

The Center for Ministry and Spirituality catalyzes and connects students, faculty, staff and neighbors in seeing their learning, work and loving as ministry to the world and in recognizing diverse spiritualities, especially Catholic and Lasallian ones, as wellsprings of vision and energy for integrating critical learning with service and action for justice. The Center hopes to form the university community and its interested neighbors in global citizenship through focusing on social justice, Catholic studies and intellectual tradition, and ecumenical/interfaith collaborations. The center hosts the annual Signum Fidei lecture each March and periodic symposia—for example, Catholic Material Culture (fall 2007) and Called to Live Justly: Shaping a Just Peacebuilding Agenda (fall 2008).

Dr. Burke serves also as Lewis University representative to the Lilly Fellowship Program; faculty moderator, Lewis University Muslim Student Association; and, a member of the Peace Teach-In Committee. In 2008, he was elected to the College of Arts and Sciences’ Budget Review Committee.
 
He is a member of the Secular Franciscan Order, belonging to the Brother Jacoba Community in Chicago.

Brother Armand Alcazar, FSC
Associate Professor

1991 Ph.D., Union Institute
1989 M.A., Holy Names College
1987 M.M., Seattle University
1977 M.Ed., University of Memphis,
1971 B.A., Christian Brothers University

Brother Armand Alcazar is an associate professor of the Department of Theology. He earned his Ph.D. from the Union Institute, an M.A. from Holy Names College, an M.M. from Seattle University, an M.A. from the University of Memphis and a B.A. from Christian Brothers University. Before Lewis University, Brother Armand served on the District Administrative Team for three years as Auxiliary Provincial and before that was a professor of Religion and Philosophy at Christian Brothers University for 13 years.

Previously, Brother has taught: Classical Christian Thought, Christology, New Testament, an Introduction to Theology and his main area revolving around topics in Spirituality. He has facilitated numerous retreats and days of recollection for students, faculties, men’s groups, women’s groups, parishes and religious orders. He has also addressed faculties from schools regarding “The Characteristics of Lasallian Schools.”

Dr. Christie Billups
Instructor

2007 D.Min., Catholic Theological Union
2001 M.A.P.S., Catholic Theological Union
1990 M.A.T., National Lewis University
1982 B.A., St. Michael's College

Dr. Billups is an instructor in the Department of Theology. She received D.Min. and MAPS degrees from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, a MAT in Elementary Education from National Louis University, and a B.A. in Religious Studies from St. Michael’s College in Winooski, VT.

She has been a Practical Theologian in both academia and by serving as Youth Minister, High School Campus Minister, Theology Teacher, and Jail Minister. Her writing has been diverse in nature. Some topics include Ministry with LGBT Youth (her doctoral thesis topic), Juvenile Justice: Ethical Considerations, and Confronting Racism in a Diverse, Urban Catholic High School.

She will be published in New Theology Review sometime in the coming year addressing some of the issues found in her doctoral work on Ministry with Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth.