QU | Faculty Focus
by Jen Wingerter ’13
LEADERSHIP IN THE CLASSROOM DANIEL M. STRUDWICK, PhD professor of theology, completed his bachelor's in philosophy from St. Meinrad College, Indiana, earned a Bachelor of Sacred Theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome, then completed a master's and a doctorate in theology at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Penn. He has been teaching courses in systematic theology at QU for the past 13 years and recently concluded serving two terms as chair of humanities. He continues to serve as director of the Quincy University Honors Program.
Q: HOW DOES THE STUDY OF RELIGION/THEOLOGY HELP DEVELOP LEADERSHIP? A: The Catholic understanding of leadership is profoundly formed by the words and
deeds of Christ. Jesus was very clear, for the Christian, the focus of leadership must be service and not power. He told his Apostles not to follow the examples of those in leadership who lord it over others. Instead, he said, they should recognize how he was there among them as a servant (Luke 22:24-27). I think the notion of servant leadership is markedly strong within the Catholic/Franciscan tradition and has much to offer students and faculty alike.
Q: WHAT VALUES ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU AS A LEADER? A: For me, it is a sincere desire to promote the common good; it is at the core of what
professor of history, co-director of service learning and assistant vice president for academic affairs, completed her bachelor's degree in history from Quincy University; master's in history from Louisiana State University; and doctorate in history from University of Missouri-Columbia. She specializes in American history. She has been teaching at QU since 2009 and was
is upheld in Catholic Social Teaching. The Catholic Church has a strong tradition of recognizing and promoting the common good. Unfortunately, the social teaching of the Church, albeit prominent in certain circles, is not well known to many today. I believe a focus upon the common good can provide a vision or goal that can unite diverse parties, at least at the initial level. We may differ on how to achieve the goal, but this initial agreement allows for some level of commonality amidst varied perspectives.
recently appointed assistant vice president for
Q: WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE LEADER? WHY? A: My favorite leader would unequivocally be Pope St. John Paul II. Pope John Paul had
teaching in Venice, Italy.
the daunting task of leading the church in Poland while under oppressive communist rule. He had to balance the safety of his people with uncompromising faithfulness to the gospel. I think leadership requires that one be both committed to principles and yet exercise diplomacy. Diplomacy would be an outgrowth of the cardinal virtue of prudence, the virtue which helps us to most effectively achieve the good. John Paul remained faithful to his principles and yet navigated turbulent political waters. He then went on, as Pope, to apply those talents to leading the universal Catholic Church as it implemented the vision of the Second Vatican Council. 26
MEGAN BOCCARDI, PhD
QUniverse | Fall 2021
academic affairs. Boccardi has led students on national and international mission trips and study abroad trips. In 2016, she was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship and spent a semester
