Teacher: Dr. Taberski
What college did you go to?
My undergraduate degree is from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. My graduate degree is from Boston College, and my doctorate is from Seattle University.
What did you major in?
Religious studies and philosophy.
What degrees do you have?
In undergrad, it was religious studies and philosophy. In graduate school, it was theology and pastoral ministry, and for my doctorate it was ed leadership, with a focus in organizational culture, development, and change management.
What made you want to pursue your major in religious studies and philosophy?
I was a sophomore in college, and I had actually begun college as a math education major. Two things happened at the same time that mutually informed one another. The math classes that I was taking had reached a point where we were no longer dealing with numbers but it was all letters, which was fine. But, it had no longer engaged me in the way I had previously experienced. At the same time, I was in a History of Western Christianity class that was part of an honors program requirement taught by Dr. Tim Watkins, which was absolutely the most fascinating course that I had taken in my two years in undergrad. Dr. Watkins was very knowledgeable and outgoing, and the class was so engaging. So, I thought that this ought to mean something. In the spring semester, I decided to take another religious studies class to make sure that it wasn’t simply because I had a good class with Dr. Watkins. So, I took another class and loved it.
I wasn’t a terribly career-oriented person in undergrad. I had a belief that it would all work out. In some respects, it was…well, I’m here. I need a degree. Because I’m here. This stuff really interests me. And if I’m going to be here, and having to do work, I’d like it to be work I find interesting. If I find the work interesting then inevitably I’ll find other manifestations of this type of work that will also interest me. In my youthful naivete, I happened to be right. But to be clear I didn’t know I didn’t know I was right. It was all a gut instinct. But there was no market analysis in the job force and what were areas of opportunity…there was none of that. It was, I like learning about this, I’m gonna learn about this.
What do you tell the graduating class of 2018?
To be mindful that college is a step, not a jump or a race. But it’s just a step. If you’re intentional about the steps you take, it make not have been on the path you saw before you. But, it’ll get you where you need to be, and it’s gonna be far more interesting of a journey.
Into the Jungle 