National Undergraduate Theology Research Conference

Join the Theology Department for the National Undergraduate Theology Research Conference on Friday, April 1 in Skutt 105. The event will feature presentations from undergraduate students from Creighton as well as other institutions across the country, such as University of Notre Dame, Loyola University Chicago, St. Louis University, Fordham University, Boston College and others.

8:20-8:30 a.m.

• Introduction and Welcome: Prof. Todd Salzman, Creighton University

8:30-8:50 a.m.

• “Fear of the Lord in Julian of Norwich and Sirach.”
• Presenter: Mary Mueller, University of Notre Dame, IN
• Sponsor: Prof. Ann Astell, University of Notre Dame

8:50-9:10 a.m.

• “The Understanding of Healing in the Gospel of John.”
• Presenter: Madeline Ortego, Spring Hill College, Mobile, AL
• Sponsor: Prof. Nélida Naveros Córdova, CDP, Spring Hill College

9:10-9:30 a.m.

• “The Role of Faith in the Radicalization of Muslim Youth in America.”
• Presenter: Meghan-Blair Berg, Creighton University, Omaha, NE
• Sponsor: Prof. Gordon Brubacher, Creighton University

9:30-9:50 a.m.

• “That All Shall Agree: Romans 5:18-19 and David Bentley Hart’s Universalism.”
• Presenter: Daniel O’Brien, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
• Sponsor: Prof. Katie Bugyis, University of Notre Dame

9:50-10:10 a.m. — Break

10:10-10:30 a.m.

• “Breaking the Binary: A Queer Reading of Acts 8:26-40.”
• Presenter: Sarah LaVanway, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, IL
• Sponsor: Prof. Lauren O’Connell, Loyola University Chicago

10:30-10:50 a.m.

• “One Will Be Taken and the Other Left: Connections between the Second Coming and the Rapture and Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and HBO’s The Leftovers.”
• Presenter: Claudia Basile, Knox College, Galesburg, IL
• Sponsor: Prof. Scott Harris, Knox College

10:50-11:10 a.m.

• “Initiating a Sacramental Imagination through Storytelling and Suffering.”
• Presenter: Annika Muse, Creighton University, Omaha, NE
• Sponsor: Prof. Peter Nguyen, S.J., Creighton University

11:10-11:30 a.m.

• “Find the Self in Leisure with the Other: Liturgy, Ritual, and Play.”
• Presenter: Jon Herrington, Creighton University, Omaha, NE
• Sponsor: Prof. Julia Feder, Creighton University

11:30-11:50 a.m.

• “Et Lux In Tenebris Lucet: The Case for Candlemas.”
• Presenter: Patrick Gouker, University of Notre Dame, IN
• Sponsor: Prof. Rev. Kevin Grove, C.S.C., University of Notre Dame

11:50 a.m.-12:50 p.m. — Lunch

12:50-1:10 p.m.

“Our Sure Foundation – An Ecumenical View on Liturgy’s Impact on Ministry.”
Presenter: John Consolie, University of Notre Dame, IN
Sponsor: Prof. Kimberly Belcher, University of Notre Dame

1:10-1:30 p.m.

“One, Holy, Catholic Integral Human Person.”
Presenter: Clarissa Emanuel, St. Louis University, St. Louis, MO
Sponsor: Prof. Daniel Finucane, St. Louis University

1:30-1:50 p.m.

• “I Will Do No Harm or Injustice to Them: Black Female Bodies and a Broken Healthcare System.”
• Presenter: Cecilia Myers, Creighton University, Omaha, NE    
• Sponsor: Prof. Susan Calef, Creighton University

1:50-2:10 p.m.

• “The Sanctity of Water in the Sonoran Desert: Laudato Si’ and Indigenous Tradition in the Stewardship of Quitobaquito Springs.”
• Presenter: Coco de Marneffe, Fordham University, NY
• Sponsor: Prof. Christiana Zenner, Fordham University

2:10-2:30 — Break

2:30-2:50 p.m.

• “From Rejection to Reconciliation: Forgiveness, Family, and Disability.”
• Presenter: Emmanuel Rayappa, Creighton University, Omaha, NE
• Sponsor: Prof. Jay Carney, Creighton University

2:50-3:10 p.m.

• “The Catholic Influence in Vietnam During the First and Second Indochina Wars.” Presenter: Nicholas Herrero, Creighton University, Omaha, NE
• Sponsor: Prof. Jay Carney, Creighton University

3:10-3:30 p.m.

“Comparative Theology, United States History: How American Catholic Leaders Build Interreligious Networks.”
Presenter: Dennis J. Wieboldt III, Boston College, Boston, MA
Sponsor: Prof. Ruth Langer, Boston College

3:30 — Closing Remarks

The Conference is free and open to the public.

Sponsored by the Creighton College of Arts and Sciences (CCAS), the Center for Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (CURAS), the Amelia and Emil Graff Chair in Catholic Theology, Briar Cliff University, Sioux City, IA, and Mount Marty College, Yankton, SD