The DSPT College of Fellows
Modeling how to put faith into action
The College of Fellows was established to help students apply the philosophical and theological tradition to concrete challenges facing the contemporary world. They help bridge the gap between classroom and career.
The members of the College of Fellows commit themselves to DSPT because they share our strong conviction that graduate studies in philosophy and theology are essential to addressing the significant concerns of the time.
An education in philosophy and theology is versatile. It develops the critical thinking and effective communication skills that are greatly needed in all areas of the professional world today. These are the skills that can put faith into action and transform the culture.
The Fellows bring high-level expertise from a variety of backgrounds combined with a common interest in engaging their Catholic faith with their work. They provide our students with relevant insights, networking opportunities, and advice for the future.
Annual Convocation of the College of Fellows
The annual Convocation is a conversation in which our Fellows, distinguished lay Catholic men and women, engage topics of significance to the Church and the culture from a wide range of perspectives. They offer insight and suggest questions that must be asked in order to meet the challenges we face today.
During the latest Convocation on February 1st, 2025, a panel of our esteemed College of Fellows and our very own students addressed the topic of "The Crisis of Western Education." The discussion engaged this text written by Christopher Dawson. Video recordings to come soon.
As we gather to discuss the crisis of Western education, we do so without the benefit of Velma Richmond’s extensive experience in such things. Velma has addressed that concern with more genius and persistence than almost anyone I know.
Professor Emeritus of Holy Names University, Velma has given her life to the task of making the treasures of the Western literary tradition available to young people and to those charged with cultivating in them a love for these precious texts. She thus has given the rest of us an incomparable example of the responsibility we as heirs of the Judeo-Christian patrimony have to transmit the blessings we have received to those who will, in turn, pass them along to future generations.
At earlier gatherings of our Fellowship, we occasionally attended Mass together at St. Mary Magdelin Parish, where Velma served as lector, sharing the liturgical readings with her characteristic delicacy and reverence. Her gift in this regard was not attributable to learning or erudition. She exemplified the mystery captured by the German philosopher, Peter Wust, who wrote that a man “who kneels in church before the gracious image of the Mother of God, be he statesman, artist or thinker” and the “intellectually less cultivated man who kneels beside him share the same supernatural atmosphere such that a union is effected between them in the very substance of the soul, which no method of intellectual cultivation that modern pedagogy, however ingenious, could produce.”
Thus has Velma fulfilled the role of both literary guide and spiritual exemplar in a way that is an inspiration to all those who have had the good fortune to be drawn into her orbit. We have all been made better, not just by Velma’s wisdom and good counsel, but by her very presence and warmth, and by her friendship. I know I speak for the other members of the College of Fellows when I say we very much look forward to having Velma among us again.
Members of the College
by area of expertise
