Student/Community Programs

FRHP information

• Program Overview

  The honors program comprises three main components:

  • Honors Seminars—one-credit classes each semester, in the form of "conversations" about the big questions of life.
  • Cultural Events—off-campus educational experiences, typically one each semester, chosen by individuals or classes.
  • Honors Thesis—an independent project by which Seniors research, write, present and publish a major paper

  Student participation in the Faith & Reason Honors Program is competitive, usually limited to a maximum of fifteen (15) students in each academic class. Membership in the program is by invitation only and requires a completed application.

  Student and faculty participants in the program gather annually for an Honors Colloquium. At this event the "Faith & Reason" award is presented to the student judged to have written the best honors thesis that year. At the end of the academic year, the senior theses are edited and published in an honors journal entitled On the Wings of Truth which is made available through our online library.

  Each semester, students in the Honors Program enjoy "priority pre-registration" for all their classes. Students who complete all components of the program have their participation noted on their university transcripts and receive recognition of their accomplishment at the University's commencement ceremonies.

  Ordinarily, if a student misses more than two seminars in a semester, s/he will be dismissed from the honors program unless there is a serious extenuating circumstance for an additional absence.

• Honors Culture

  Students in the Faith & Reason Honors Program are expected to participate in at least one "cultural" event each semester (usually held off campus).  Information on special events, as well as links to local calendars, can be found below.  Students should check with the faculty seminar leaders and/or the director of the Salesian Center concerning the suitability of events for inclusion in the Honors Program experience.

  Local Calendars:

  • ArtsQuest
  • International Institute for Culture
  • Lehigh University
  • Lehigh Valley Arts Council

• Honor Seminars

  The Honors Program requires the completion of six (6) one-credit seminars that integrate faith and reason in an on-going "conversation" about the big questions of life. Students complete one seminar each semester.

  Seminars consist entirely of discussion about assigned readings, chosen among classical and/or contemporary texts from a variety of academic disciplines. The seminars meet weekly for one hour during the Fall and Spring semesters and take place under the direction of one or more senior faculty leaders, who will select pertinent readings and guide lively discussions on existential questions.

  "They are questions which have their common source in the quest for meaning which has always compelled the human heart. In fact, the answer given to these questions decides the direction which people seek to give to their lives." John Paul II, Fides et Ratio, no.1

  Students who participate in the seminars regularly and actively receive a grade of "A" for the course. Completion of three one-credit seminars fulfills one "free elective" requirement for graduation (with a maximum of six credits = two free electives). Credits received for these seminars do not fulfill any General Education Core requirements.

  Continued participation in the seminars is at the discretion of the faculty leaders and the director of the Honors Program. The following seminars are offered through the "Liberal Studies" program of the Division of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences at DSU:

  LS 4001-Spring semester, Freshman year-Thursday, 8 am: Conversations about Being Human (The Person) with Rodney Howsare, Ph.D. (Professor of Theology) What is the origin and destiny of the human person? What is distinctive about being human? Is there such a thing as human "dignity"? How do I become who I am?

  LS 4003-Spring semester, Sophomore year-Thursday, 8 am: Conversations about The World with Andrew Essig, Ph.D. (Professor of Political Science)What drives the history of the world: politics, economics, culture? How does seeing the world through the lens of politics affect our global perspective? What lessons can we learn from international relations for making the world a better place in today's time?

  LS 4005 - Spring semester, Junior year - Tuesday, 8 am: Conversations about Truth with Gregory Kerr, Ph.D. (Associate Professor of Philosophy) Does life make sense? Can I really know anything (skepticism)? Is there objective truth (vs. relativism) and how do I know it?

  LS 4002 -Fall semester, Sophomore year-Tuesday, 8 am: Conversations about God with William Hamant, Ph.D. (Assistant Professor of Theology) Does God exist (classical atheism)? Does the existence of God matter (contemporary atheism)? How can God be "good" with so much "evil" in the world?

  LS 4004 - Fall semester, Junior year -Tuesday, 8 am: Conversations about Beauty with Stephen Myers, Ph.D. (Professor of English) What is beauty and how do I recognize it? What is happiness and can I have it? Is there more to life than the material world?

  LS 4006 - Fall semester, Senior year -Tuesday, 8 am: Conversations about Goodness with David Gilfoil, Ph.D. (Professor and VP for Marketing & Planning) How can people in the world relate well to one another? Can there be a just society? Does freedom have any obligations? What is the common good?

• Honors Thesis

  As the culmination of their educational experience, students in the Faith & Reason Honors Program are required to write and publish an honors thesis (30-50 pages in length) during the Spring semester of their Senior year. They present their work during the colloquium in April.

  Development of the Honors Thesis (research and writing) is directed by a full-time faculty member at DeSales University and counts as a 3-credit "independent study" course in the Division of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences (LS 499); with the approval of the director of the Salesian Center, the course may be credited in the respective department/division of the student or faculty member. This course fulfills a "free elective" requirement in the student's General Education Core curriculum.

  The topic of the thesis and the faculty member who directs the research are both chosen by the student, with the approval of the director of the Salesian Center for Faith & Culture.

  To receive academic credit for this project, students must register for an "Independent Study" course. To do so, students must complete the appropriate approval form, which is available from the Academic Affairs Office or from the University's web site.

  Independent Study Form

  Each student makes a five-minute summary presentation of his/her thesis at the annual Honors Colloquium. At the Colloquium, the best thesis each year, as judged by the Review Committee of the Salesian Center for Faith & Culture, receives the annual "Faith & Reason" award.

  Honors theses are published by the Salesian Center on a list below: On the Wings of Truth Honors Thesis.

  Timetable for the Spring 2020 semester

  Monday, January 13
  Registration for the "Independent Study" course

  Monday, April 6 due by 5:00 p.m.
  Draft of thesis to be submitted electronically to the Salesian Center for evaluation by Review Committee

  Tuesday, April 7
  Thesis distribution to Review Committee

  Tuesday, April 14
  Review Committee submits its evaluations of each thesis. After we score the results, two semi-finalist theses are sent to Review Committee.

  Tuesday, April 14 by 5:00 pm
  Review Committee receives the top two choices, one each group has already read.

  Monday, April 20
  Selection of thesis winner is conducted by Review Committee @ 12:30 lunch

  Friday, April 24
  Students undertake revisions of the thesis in view of the final submission and eventual publication

  Sunday, April 26
  6:30 p.m. - University Center
  Honors Colloquium, during which each thesis is presented by the author

  Saturday, May 9
  Final version of the thesis to be submitted to the director of the program as well as to your faculty advisor  

  Friday, May 22
  Salesian Center
  Publication of the Honors Theses in On the Wings of Truth

• Honors Colloquium

  The Honors Colloquium is the year-end celebration of the work of students in the Faith & Reason Honors Program. Culminating four years of study, by way of six honors seminars, the colloquium offers to the Seniors an opportunity to share the fruits of their scholarship with the University community.

  Participants in the Honors Colloquium include all student members of the program, all faculty teaching in the program, the staff (members and advisors) of the Salesian Center for Faith & Culture, and other invited guests.  Alumni of the Honors Program are also invited to return to campus to participate in the event.

  At the colloquium, each Senior presents a five-minute summary of the Honors Thesis that he/she developed during the semester.  The colloquium concludes with the presentation of the annual "Faith & Reason Honors Thesis Award", as judged by the Review Committee of the Salesian Center.

  The next Honors Colloquium takes place on Sunday April 26, 2020, from 6:30 to 8:45 pm.

• Honors Application for Membership

  Membership in the Faith & Reason Honors Program is by invitation and application only. Membership is limited to fifteen (15) students in each academic class. 

  Each Fall, invitations to apply to the program are extended to members of the Freshman class who maintain Presidential or Trustee scholarships, as defined by the Office of Enrollment Management at DSU (approximately 80-95 students in all). 

  Applications consist of:

  • a letter of intent on the part of the interested student
  • a letter of recommendation from a DSU faculty or staff member
  • a brief writing sample (2 page max)  

  The application process typically follows the calendar below. 

  • Early October - invitations to apply to the program are sent by email to scholarship students
  • After Pacer Break - Deadline for submission of applicants to the Director of the program
  • October - Applications are considered by the Review Committee of the Salesian Center
  • Friday before pre-registration - New Honors class is notified of acceptance into the program

• Students in the Program

  CLASS OF 2023

  Lucas Acosta-Morales, Computer Science/Math

  Jayden Carlucci, Accounting

  Mia Crank, Business Administration

  Anna Darling, Nursing

  Grace Fort, Medical Studies

  Daniel Gillinger, Accounting

  Thomas Greve, Marketing

  Benjamin Johann, Supply Chain Management

  Grace Kelleher, Political Science

  Daniel Martinez, Biology

  Michael Pierce, Accounting

  Catherine Ray, Medical Studies

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  CLASS OF 2022  

  Nolan Beck, Exploratory Studies

  Meghan Corbran, Nursing

  Nathan Hatzfeld, Criminal Justice

  Mark Jannuzzi, History

  Logan Marsh, Management/Finance

  Emma Stanfield, Business Administration

  Sean Wiser, Sport Management 

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  CLASS OF 2021

  Wesley Carroll, Accounting Major

  Micah Wasser, Biology Major

  Carmine Cicalese, TV/Film Major

  Hagar Fadel, Biology Major

  Hannah Fresa, Biology Major

  Micaiah Humes, Dance Major

  Vincent Maria, Exploratory Studies

  Mark Stenske, Medical Studies Major     

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  CLASS OF 2020
   

  Alexandra Ayers, Theatre Major
  
  Francis Krug, Biology Major
  
  Vincent Groelly, Finance/Accounting Major
  
  Tyler Sarge, Mathematics Major
  
  Paige Merrill, Dance/Exercise Physiology Major

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• On the Wings of Truth Honors Thesis

  Each Spring semester, the students in the Senior class of the Faith & Reason Honors Program undertake a 3-credit independent study, the culmination of which is a 30-50 page honors thesis.  The topic of the thesis is chosen by the student, with the approval of the director of the Salesian Center for Faith & Culture and their faculty advisor.
   
  The best thesis each year, as judged by the Review Committee of the Salesian Center, receives the annual "Faith & Reason" award.

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  Class of 2020

  Best Thesis: Paige Merrill -The Relationship Between Barre3 and Christianity An Exploration of Catholicism and Psychology

  Alexandra Ayers - Faith and Theatre 
  
  Tyler Sarge - Paradox and Its Relationship to Christianity: Understanding God’s Call

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  CLASS OF 2019

  Best Thesis: David Talarico - Homosexuality and Catholicism: On the Road to Sainthood

  Yesha Shastri - Don’t Be Afraid to Stand Out: The Impact of Social Identity on Opportunities in the Workforce

  Caroline Accurso - Implications of Catholic Social Teaching for Capitalism

  Alaine DeSantis - Jesus Christ: The Desire of Every Man’s Heart

  Bridget Walsh - The Ethics of the Discrepancy of Participation: Funding, and Exposure for Women in College Athletics

  Zach Kratz - Using Literature as a Vehicle for Teaching and Discussing Economic Theory
  

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  CLASS OF 2018

  Best Thesis: Erik Cudo - Medical and Catholic Ethical Concerns in CRISPR Technology

  Dylan Bortz - A Whole New World: An Analysis of Exoplanets and Life in the Unknown Universe
  Kayla Alderfer - The Role of Analogy in an Adequate Epistemology
  Jake Stoudt - Virtue Ethics and the Rise of Darth Vader
  Matthew Trovato - Substance, Relation, and the Human Person
  Alexander Bondi - Capitalism and Catholicism: are they compatible?
  Hannah Popp - Femininity -- The Search for Essential Meaning: A Synthesis of Catholic Minds
  Matthew Reeder - Mathematics and its Relationship with Christianity

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  CLASS OF 2017

  Best Thesis: Gina Galassi - Divine Mercy: God’s Greatest Gift

  Ryan Jordan - Catholic Social Thought Throughout the Business World
  Angeline Lonardi - Still Hurting: The Catholic Church and Palliative Medicine
  Allison Myers - The Origin and Laws of the Universe Support the Existence of a Divine Creator
  Sean Palen - Catholicism and Capitalism: Giving to Get More From Life
  Rochelle Salib - A Framework for the Role of Healthcare in Christian Global Missions: Short-Term Missions without Long-Term Harm
  Christina Tran - God is With Us: Exploring How Mathematics Connects to God

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  CLASS OF 2016

  Best Thesis: Ryan Fischer - Modern Day Frankenstein or Medical Marvel: A Bioethical Evaluation of Human Head Transplantation Based on the Catholic Understanding of Human Dignity

  Casey DeStasio - The Ethics of Animal Testing in Medicine in Accordance with the Catholic View of Animals
  Janalyn Frederick - The Importance of Interfaith Dialog between the Mennonite and Catholic Churches
  Hutton Jackson - The Underlying Causes of Sexual Violence: How Pornography, Sexual Violence Depicted in Interactive Media, and Sexualized Advertising Are Contributing to Sexual Violence in Society
  Matthew Jesiolowski - A Discussion on Artificial Intelligence
  Robert Johnson - The Holy Roman Empire and the Thirty Years' War: An Analysis of a Religious Conflict
  Monica Lupin - End of Life Decisions
  Theresa Marlin - The Scientific Basis for Human Personality
  Emily Marshall - Physical Activity and its Effects on Childhood Development and Success
  Darryn McCauley - Sighting Through the Wrong Scope: Why Complex Psychological Phenomena Defy Scientific Explanation
  Kaitlyn Mills - Mental Illness in the Modern Age: How Stigmatization Violates the Dignity of the Human Person
  Brittany Pierzga - Native American Cultural Appropriation: A Misinformed America, an Underrepresented Culture, a Stolen Dignity
  Amanda Tarantino - The Need for Christian Humanism in the Care of Older Adults
  Stefanie Wolcott - Global Migration Trends, Human Rights Concerns, and Catholic Social Teaching

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  CLASS OF 2015 

  Best Thesis: Alexandra Romanyshyn (PL/EN) - Literary Analysis: Contrasting Tradition and Modernism
  
  Katherine Bortz (CM) -"Star-Crossed Plotlines: Discussions of Determinism and Free Will in Young Adult Literature"
  Ashley Caroff (HI) -"A Call for Equality in Educational Opportunities for All Students"
  Jennifer Fay (CJ) - "The Modern Educational System: Historical Influences and Pursuit of Knowledge Equality"
  Seth Foreman (SX) -"Sports and Professional Athletes Impact Our Youth"
  Nicholas Johnson (PL) -"On The Kingdom of God: Maria Christus Vincit, Quod Deus Vult"
  Jessica Mathiesen (BICH/BI) "The Ethics of Human Stem Cell Research"
  Casey Schermick (SS/MK) -"Athlete Philanthropy: A Review of the Moral Obligations for Professional Athletes"
  Stephen VanDoran (PO) "Medical Marijuana Policy"

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  CLASS OF 2014  
  Best Thesis: Kristin kavanaugh (DA/SX) - "Dance, A Gift Stolen"
  CLASS OF 2013 
  Best Thesis: Kathryn Stimpfle (EE) - "The Gospel of Womanhood According to Jane Eyre"
  CLASS OF 2012 
  Best Thesis: Robert Zanneo (MA/ED) - "The Negative Impact of Incentives on Human Behavior: The Difference Between Intrinsic/Extrinsic Motivation"
  CLASS OF 2011 
  Best Thesis: Benjamin Foster (BI) - "An Examination of the Intrinsic Ethical Concerns Associated with Synthetic Biology"
  CLASS OF 2010 
  Best Thesis: Nicholas Schenk (BI) - "Personhood or Dignity: What Is the Foundation of Bioethics?"
  CLASS OF 2009 
  Best Thesis: Lauren Greene (EN/ED) - "Thomas Merton: A Study of 20th Century Ideas for the 21st Century American
  CLASS OF 2008 
  Best Thesis: Rachel Coleman (BI) - "The Sins of our Fathers: The Current Generation and the Vice of Acedia"
  CLASS OF 2007 
  Best Thesis: Elizabeth Pfister (NU) - "The 'Human' in Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Focus on a Domestic and South African Stigma"
  CLASS OF 2006 
  Best Thesis: Marian West (DA/MFS) - "Time to Move, Humanity, Art and Dance Redeemed"
  > Mary

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• What Can I Expect As A Member?

  The Ryan Leadership Institute offers many benefits and opportunities for invited participants, including:

  • An opportunity to forge close, personal relationships that will positively affect your life and work in the future;
  • A new vision to help you see how religious faith is a key element for my happiness and success in whatever career you enter;
  • The development of personal and interpersonal skills taught in the best management training programs in the corporate world.

  This membership is provided at no cost, thanks to the generous financial support of the Ryan family, alumni, and benefactors who believe in the Institute’s value and in my own potential.

  Therefore, members of the The Ryan Leadership Institute commit themselves to:

  • Maintaining good academic and disciplinary standing as a full-time DSU student.
  • Attending and participating fully in two (2) weekend retreats (Friday evening through Sunday noon) held off campus at the beginning and near the end of the Junior year.
  • Responsible preparation for and active participation in the ten (10) evening discussion sessions held during the academic year.
  • Active leadership engagement during the senior year, in a University-sponsored club, team, or organization, working to complete a leadership program, in cooperation with other program members and program advisors
  • Active participation in three evening discussion and workshop programs held each semester during the senior year.
  • Participation in the annual program dinner at the beginning of the second semester of each year. During the senior year dinner, presentation of a brief report on their leadership activities.
  • Active support, communication, and participation as a graduate of the program, providing mentorship and guidance to members of the program who follow in their footsteps.

• Applying to RLI

  Process

  • The Faculty/Staff Review Committee of the Salesian Center' for Faith & Culture nominates prospective members
  • The members of the RLI Staff evaluate the students' academic achievement (minimum 2.75 GPA required ) and involvement in student activities and generates a list of students to invite.
  • The Director of the Salesian Center extends the invitation to apply for membership in the institute and conducts interviews with the applicants.

  Qualifications

  To be selected for membership, students must commit to:

  • Attending two (2) weekend retreats and all ten (10) meetings throughout their Junior year at DSU
  • Participating actively in all activities of the Institute
  • Attending six (6) leadership workshops throughout their Senior year at DSU
  • Serving in a leadership capacity in a recognized student club, team, or organization during the student's Senior year at DSU
  • Engaging in follow-up evaluations at the end of each year of the institute and following graduation from DSU

  Forms

  • Ryan Leadership Institute Application
  • Ryan Leadership Institute Expectations

• How does the two-year participation work?

  Each cohort or “class” is built in the Junior college year and capped by completion of an on-campus major leadership project Senior year.

  All of this takes place in a Salesian framework, which begins each gathering with a time of prayer in the model which St. Francis de Sales taught us.

  You will hear from such diverse “coaches” as Bobby McFerrin, Maxie Maltsby, Edwin Land, and of course the Saints themselves as you discover your own particular gifts and talents.

• Being Energized and Inspired Together (BE IT) Meetings

  The Being Energized and Inspired Together program is a series of ten (10) two-hour meetings, held on campus in the evenings, which focuses on personal reflection and group discussion. 

  Materials for these sessions promote skills development in terms of leadership of self, creating winning relationships, and leading others to a better future. The sessions are facilitated by faculty/staff trained in Salesian leadership. 

• Junior Year: Leaders Experiential Adventure Program (LEAP)

  The Leaders Experiential Adventure Program is a three-day retreat, held off-campus at the beginning of the academic year, which focuses on the discovery of one's personal profile and the development of one's personal mission. 

  Through participation in a "mountain adventures" experience, the retreat promotes skills development in terms of clarity, courage, choice, and support. 

  A second retreat at the end of the academic year, also held off-campus, draws the year-long program to its conclusion with a co-missioning ceremony for the class.

• Senior Year: Business Education in Skills & Techniques (BEST) Workshops

  The Business Education in Skills & Techniques program consists of six (6) workshops, conducted three times each semester, in which business professionals offer a variety of skills that would be applicable in any career or corporate setting, such as:

  • projects: proposals and formal presentations
  • personnel: personal branding and networking, conducting interviews and performance appraisals
  • communications: active listening, generational differences, and public relations
  • groups: efficient meetings and successful navigation of corporate culture
  • finances: operating budgets and financial statement
  • events: planning, promotion, and activities

   

• DO IT - Senior Service Project

  Ryan Leadership students are required to take an active role in a campus organization of some kind — a team, a club, a committee, etc.

  The purpose of these service projects is to put into practice all of the valuable tools students have learned on their RLI journey. 

  Senior project proposal form

• Institute Objectives

  • To support the future life and work of the Church, by fostering a deeper commitment to the Roman Catholic faith and to campus/parish communities
  • To disseminate the distinctive charism of Salesian Spirituality, by providing a more in-depth education in this religious tradition
  • To effect a transformation of individuals, by developing an awareness of personal talents and inter-personal communications
  • To inspire future leadership of self and others, by developing practical skills through individual reflection, expert coaching, and group activities
  • To effect a transformation of culture, by enacting the spiritual and personal dynamics of the institute through leadership in student, civic, and ecclesiastical organizations

  Students also benefit:

  • personally—forging relationships that positively influences one's future
  • spiritually—seeing how faith is a key component to human happiness in any career
  • educationally—learning skills taught in the best executive training programs in the corporate world

• A brief history of the Ryan Leadership Institute

  1990: During an executive leadership retreat, Timothy C. Flanagan felt a profound calling to bring the best in leadership and personal development programs to the Catholic Church. To help people understand their purpose in life and to reach their God-given potential as leaders in our world, he founded the Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI). 

  1999: Matt Manion (married to Kerrianne Dougherty ’96), volunteered to serve CLI, and, four years later became its President/CEO. Under Matt’s leadership, the programs were revised to include college and university groups. 

  2004: Faculty Oblates approached CLI with a proposal to reflect the distinctive teaching of St. Francis de Sales into the leadership training experience at DeSales.

  2005: In collaboration with CLI, the first cohort began the two-year pilot program during the 2005-2006 academic year.

  2012: Members of the Ryan Family Foundation established an endowment to honor the founding role in this Institute played by their parents, Jane and Frank Ryan, and to provide a stable financial foundation for its future.