J. R. Hustwit

Methodist University is pleased to announce that Dr. J. R. Hustwit, associate professor of religion and philosophy, has been selected from a nationwide pool of nominees to participate in a faculty seminar on the teaching of interfaith understanding.

Methodist University is pleased to announce that Dr. J. R. Hustwit, associate professor of religion and philosophy, has been selected from a nationwide pool of nominees to participate in a faculty seminar on the teaching of interfaith understanding. The seminar is offered by the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC), with support from the Henry Luce Foundation.

Twenty-five faculty members will participate in the five-day Teaching Interfaith Understanding seminar that will take place June 21-25, at Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Mass. The seminar will be led by two leading scholars: Catherine Cornille, Newton College Alumnae Chair of Western Culture, chair of the department of theology, and professor of comparative theology at Boston College; and Noah Silverman, director of faculty partnerships at IFYC. Stephen Prothero, professor of religion at Boston University, will be a special guest speaker. The program aims to broaden faculty members’ knowledge and strengthen their teaching of interfaith understanding, with the development of new courses and resources.

“Strengthening the teaching of interfaith understanding at colleges and universities is a high priority at a time when college enrollment – and American society – is becoming more diverse. Strengthening participation in American life with greater understanding of the distinctive contributions of different faiths is a key to America’s future success,” said CIC President Richard Ekman. “The number of institutions that nominated faculty members to participate in the interfaith understanding seminar is most impressive.”

“It comes as no surprise to me that Dr. Hustwit was selected for a seminar such as this. He has been a valued and productive member of Methodist University’s faculty since 2009,” said Dr. Steven Brey, dean of the School of Arts and Humanities at Methodist University. “In addition to his courses in philosophy and eastern religion, and his administrative position as chair of the Philosophy and Religion Department, he coaches the student ethics bowl team and has led them to a championship. And he regularly works with Methodist University’s interfaith council, helping students share aspects of their faith and holiday traditions with the larger campus. His own professional publications often explore interreligious dialogue, and so he is a natural for a special seminar like this. I look forward to his reporting back to us all that he learns in Boston this month.”

For more information, visit cic.edu/TeachingInterfaith.

Participants in the 2015 Seminar on Teaching Interfaith Understanding, Chestnut Hill, MA

  • Paul Anders, Mount Marty College (SD)
  • Rose Aslan, California Lutheran University
  • Elliott Bazzano, Le Moyne College (NY)
  • Clifford Cain, Westminster College (MO)
  • John Foster, Coker College (SC)
  • June-Ann Greeley, Sacred Heart University (CT)
  • Hans Gustafson, College of Saint Benedict / Saint John’s University (MN)
  • Suzanne Henderson, Queens University of Charlotte (NC)
  • J.R. Hustwit, Methodist University (NC)
  • Slavica Jakelic, Valparaiso University (IN)
  • Justin Klassen, Bellarmine University (KY)
  • Timothy Parker, Norwich University (VT)
  • Annette Pelletier, Immaculata University (PA)
  • John Pennington, Augustana College (SD)
  • Louise Prochaska, Notre Dame College of Ohio
  • Adam Pryor, Bethany College (WV)
  • Nicholas Rademacher, Cabrini College (PA)
  • Nathan Rein, Ursinus College (PA)
  • Martha Stortz, Augsburg College (MN)
  • Margarita Suarez, Meredith College (NC)
  • Janice Thompson, King’s College (PA)
  • Craig Tyson, D’Youville College (NY)
  • Jennifer Veninga, St. Edward’s University (TX)
  • David von Schlichten, Seton Hall University (PA)
  • Victoria Williams, Alvernia University (PA)

Methodist University is an independent four-year institution of higher education with over 2,400 students from 41 states and 53 countries. Methodist University offers over 80 majors and concentrations, 100 clubs and organizations, four master’s degree programs, one doctoral degree program, and 20 NCAA III intercollegiate sports. To learn more about Methodist University, please visit methodist.edu or facebook.com/MethodistUniversity.

The Council of Independent Colleges is an association of 750 nonprofit independent colleges and universities and higher education affiliates and organizations that has worked since 1956 to support college and university leadership, advance institutional excellence, and enhance public understanding of private higher education’s contributions to society. CIC is the major national organization that focuses on providing services to leaders of independent colleges and universities as well as conferences, seminars, and other programs that help institutions improve educational quality, administrative and financial performance, and institutional visibility. CIC conducts the largest annual conference of college and university presidents. CIC also provides support to state fundraising associations that organize programs and generate contributions for private colleges and universities. The Council is headquartered at One Dupont Circle in Washington, DC.

A Chicago-based nonprofit organization, Interfaith Youth Core’s (IFYC) mission is to make interfaith cooperation a social norm. Since its incorporation in 2002, IFYC has worked on five continents and with over 200 college and university campuses, trained thousands in the principles of interfaith leadership, and reached millions through the media. IFYC has worked with partners including the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, the White House, and the Office of Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan. Eboo Patel is the founder and president of IFYC.