Hometown
Mechanicsburg, PA

Graduation Year
2025

Favorite Class
It's honestly too hard to choose just one, so I'll give my top 4, in no particular order: Comparative Theology and Theology of Religions with Catherine Cornille, Christian Ethics and Gender Identity with Lisa Cahill, Women, Gender, and Islam with Natana DeLong-Bas, and Biotechnology Seminar with Andrea Vicini. I loved the intellectual rigor coupled with the freedom to explore. While some of my coursework experience was indelibly marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, it was also an amazing opportunity to see the pedagogical creativity employed by professors to teach under uncertain circumstances.

What do you like most about BC?
I love that BC is a place where I've had the freedom to really craft a fairly individualized program for myself. I mean, where else can you find an Episcopal priest studying Comparative Theology, minoring in Theological Ethics, with a concentration in Catholic Healthcare Ethics? Somehow, it works here--and I'm forever grateful for it!

I chose BC's Theology program because of its incredible academic reputation globally, especially in Comparative Theology; its location in Boston, where I was engaged in formation for the Episcopal priesthood; its emphasis on training teachers as well as scholars and researchers; and its Jesuit identity and mission. As someone deeply formed by Ignatian spirituality, I knew I wanted an environment where I could bring my entire self, not just an "scholarly" self or a "spiritual" self. I'm thrilled to say that I've had that experience here.

I began the PhD program in September of 2020, in the midst of the pandemic. While many, if not most, of my interactions with the BC community happened on Zoom, the amount of kindness and care from the department absolutely stunned me. From regular check ins with a professor to ensure that I was figuring everything out, to a Zoom movie night with some other grad student colleagues, I could tell that this was a place where I was more than just a cog in an academic machine. In a similar vein, I've loved getting to hear from my colleagues in the weekly reflections distributed by our Departmental Chaplains. I've also really enjoyed working with the Catholic Healthcare Ethics concentration, including working with the Ethics department at St. Elizabeth's Hospital. It's been an amazing way to see how so many of the ideas and concepts I study in the classroom are put into direct practice.

Hometown
Seoul, Korea

Graduation Year
2027

Favorite Class
My favorite professor is Dr. Catherine Cornille. Dr Cornille is a professor of comparative theology who is deeply committed to teaching, advising, and caring for her students. She is one of the leading researchers in comparative theology with creative and well-structured perspectives. Through courses with her, she helped me to expand my understanding of religions that can contribute beyond their boundaries.

What do you like most about BC?
Throughout the campus, Buildings, paths, and nature provide spiritual insights. The campus is well-kept, safe, and amazing to walk through to think and meditate on the relationship with God. And thanks to its form, the campus is full of energy of its students.

I am a Methodist with a robust Protestant theology and background. However, comparative theology has been founded within Catholic theology and its understanding of interreligious relations with other religions. The theology department has prominent and diverse faculty members of not only Catholic study but also ecumenical study. Moreover, Boston City is the most excellent place for studying various religions and their theologies through the BTI consortium and religious diversity.

I have enjoyed being in the nurturing community among Ph.D. students and my cohorts in the department. Through conversation and hanging out, we comfort and inspire each other. In addition, with annual gatherings and occasional events, faculty members always try to listen to my voices and concerns about both academic and personal matters.

Hometown
Royston, GA

Graduation Year
2024

Favorite Class
Dr. Angela Kim Harkins. Her work on 2nd Temple Judaism and religious experience has inspired my research interests and current dissertation project

Why BC?
I particularly like how the curriculum and the community espouse and promote Jesuit, Catholic values in shaping the future of academia.

It is one of the best theology programs in the world! You have a very dedicated faculty with multiple expertises coupled with the collaborative spirit of the department.

I have enjoyed the my course work as well as working one-on-one with many different faculty members.