School of Humanities

The School of Humanities maintains the longstanding tradition of cultivating and reflecting on essential human knowledge (art, communication, English literature, English writing and rhetoric, Spanish, French, Catholic studies, liberal studies, philosophy, graphic design, photocommunications, religious and theological studies, and theater arts), which thrives at St. Edward’s University.

Each program provides sound preparation for a variety of careers and/or graduate school. While each discipline has its own faculty, space and resources, all create an environment for excellence and share a common approach that draws upon these advantages:

Small classes and teacher-scholars who assume an active role for students.
Approachable faculty members, who view teaching as their top priority.
Student-faculty collaborations, such as gallery exhibits, theater productions and published works, allow exploration of diverse perspectives while students gain an appreciation for the vast creative inheritance of humanity.
Vital “cross training” for students to discern relevant information, research facts and articulate precise arguments (orally and in writing), which are essential for the lively debate of history, religion, the arts or philosophy — and are lifelong skills transportable to virtually any field, career or graduate school.

Dean's Message
Faculty
Facilities

Dean's Message

Dear Future Humanities Students:

As humans, we seek to make sense of our world. Art, literature, music, religion — all of these help us interpret the struggles and joys of our existence. In the School of Humanities, we guide our students through this discovery. At the same time, we give them the creative freedom to explore their talents, and we value the diverse ideas they contribute.

Crucial to this self-exploration is understanding how others view the world. That's why we bring renowned artists and scholars to campus, such as actor Ed Begley Jr. and poet Lucille Clifton. Our students talk with guests about their work, challenges and inspiration as part of programs like our Visiting Writers and Visiting Literary Scholars series. Through such dialogue, they hear from a variety of compelling, contemporary voices.

All the while, they refine their own voice. Students display their work at shows, exhibits and symposia. They participate in our jazz ensemble and string quartet. They publish two award-winning journals, Arete and Sorin Oak Review. They produce and perform classics and original scripts on stage, while earning points toward their Actors’ Equity membership. Whatever their artistic or academic passions, they will hone and share them through their projects and research.

This exchange of ideas extends far beyond our Austin, Texas, campus. Our students, for example, immerse themselves in Spanish language and culture in Sevilla, Spain, through coursework, excursions and living with host families. They study photography in Angers, France. They go behind the scenes at Scotland's Edinburgh Fringe Festival to learn event marketing and management. Through programs like these, they gain a global perspective that guides their own creative and career path.

Each student in the School of Humanities undertakes this personal journey of discovery, both on campus and off. No matter the destination, what you learn along the way transforms you — into a critical thinker, problem solver and engaged human being.

Sincerely,

Father Louis T. Brusatti, DMin: Dean, School of Humanities

Faculty

Father Louis T. Brusatti, DMin Dean, School of Humanities; Associate Professor of Religious and Theological Studies Phone: 512-448-8643

Richard Bautch, PhD Associate Dean, School of Humanities; Associate Professor of Humanities Phone: 512-448-8570

Alan J. Altimont, PhD Associate Professor of English Phone: 512-448-8564

Harald Becker, PhD Associate Professor of German Phone: 512-448-8637

Mary K. Brantl, PhD Assistant Professor of Art History Phone: 512-492-3109

Shannan H. Butler, PhD Assistant Professor of Communication Phone: 512-492-3113

Mark Cherry, PhD Endowed Professor in Applied Ethics and Professor of Philosophy Phone: 512-448-8536

Kelley Coblentz-Bautch, PhD Associate Professor of Religious Studies Phone: 512-428-1395

Joseph Colarusso Coordinator of Instrumental Music Phone: 512-492-3126

Walle M. Conoly Professor of Art Phone: 512-448-8682

Stephen C. Dilley, PhD Assistant Professor of Philosophy Phone: 512-637-1950

Joseph Francis Doerr, PhD Visiting Assistant Professor of English Writing and Rhetoric Phone: 512-492-3133

Kathryn Eader Assistant Professor of Scenic and Lighting Design, Theater Arts Phone: 512-485-4626

Elizabeth Anne Eakman Instructor of English Writing and Rhetoric Phone: 512-637-5643

William Earnest, PhD Assistant Professor of Communication Phone: 512-637-1987

Regina Faunes, PhD Assistant Professor of Spanish Phone: 512-416-5833

Barbara Filippidis, PhD Director, Honors Program; Professor of English Phone: 512-448-8558

Christopher Flynn, PhD Associate Professor of English Literature Phone: 512-416-5842

Carrie Fountain Assistant Professor of English Writing and Rhetoric, Creative Writing Phone: 512-448-8690

Kimberly Garza Assistant Professor of Graphic Design Phone: 512-448-8681

Teresita Garza, PhD Associate Professor of Communication Phone: 512-464-8815

Sheila Gordon Assistant Professor of Theater Arts Phone: 512-492-3158

Donald Haughey Assistant Professor of Art Phone: 512-637-1980

Jena Heath Assistant Professor of Journalism Phone: 512-637-1989

Laura Hollis-Hammonds Assistant Professor of Art Phone: 512-492-3159

Ryan S. Hoover, PhD Assistant Professor of English Writing and Rhetoric Phone: 512-492-3145

Stanley C. Irvin Professor of Art Phone: 512-448-8685

William J. Kennedy Associate Professor of Photocommunications Phone: 512-448-8680

Marcia Kinsey Associate Professor of English Phone: 512-448-8563

Brother George A. Klawitter, CSC, PhD Professor of English Phone: 512-464-8850

Drew M. Loewe, PhD Assistant Professor of English Writing and Rhetoric Phone: 512-428-1352

David Long Artistic Director, Mary Moody Northen Theatre; Associate Professor of Theater Phone: 512-448-8486

Everett Lunning Jr. Assistant Professor of Theater Arts Phone: 512-637-1986

Cory Lyle Instructor of Spanish Phone: 512-233-1455

Michael C. Massey Assistant Professor of Humanities Phone: 512-448-8488

Kelly Willis Mendiola, PhD Assistant Professor of English Writing and Rhetoric Phone: 512-492-3110

Sybil Miller Professor of Photocommunications Phone: 512-448-8571

Innes Mitchell, PhD Associate Professor of Communication Phone: 512-416-5832

Brother Gerald Muller, CSC Assistant Professor of Music Phone: 512-493-0124

Jack Green Musselman, PhD Director, Center for Ethics and Leadership; Assistant Professor of Philosophy Phone: 512-428-1026

Miguel A. Nino, PhD Associate Professor of Spanish Phone: 512-448-8656

Doug Norman, PhD Assistant Professor of English Writing and Rhetoric Phone: 512-464-8872

Brother John A. Perron, CSC Associate Professor of English Phone: 512-448-8560

Lori West Peterson, PhD Associate Professor of Communication Phone: 512-448-8668

Tuan Phan Assistant Professor of Graphic Design Phone: 512-492-3115

Stephanie Poole Martinez, PhD Associate Professor of Communication Phone: 512-428-1293

Catherine Rainwater, PhD Professor of English Phone: 512-448-8544

Janice W. Randle, PhD Associate Professor of Spanish Phone: 512-448-8613

Mary Rist, PhD Professor of English Writing and Rhetoric Phone: 512-416-5843

Richard Robichaux Assistant Professor of Acting, Theater Arts; Director of Community Outreach Phone: 512-485-4625

Steven M. Rodenborn, PhD Assistant Professor of Religious Studies Phone: 512-637-5618

Angela S. Rodgers Assistant Professor of Graphic Design Phone: 512-428-1339

Lynn Rudloff, PhD Director of Freshman Studies; Associate Professor of English Writing and Rhetoric Phone: 512-428-1317

Georgia Seminet, PhD Assistant Professor of Spanish Phone: 512-448-8565

Philippe Seminet, PhD Visiting Associate Professor of French Phone: 512-485-4623

Edward Lee Shirley, PhD Professor of Religious Studies Phone: 512-448-8573

Michele L. Moragnee Silva, PhD Assistant Professor of English Phone: 512-448-8653

Kerstein E. Somerholter, PhD Associate Professor of European Languages Phone: 512-637-1985

H. Morris Stevens Jr., PhD Director, Division of Music; Assistant Professor of Music Phone: 512-699-7014

Teri Lynn Varner, PhD Assistant Professor of Communication Phone: 512-428-1365

Jennifer E. Veninga, PhD Assistant Professor of Religious and Theological Studies Phone: 512-485-4621

Joseph Vitone Professor of Photocommunications Phone: 512-448-8583

Peter Wake, PhD Associate Professor of Philosophy Phone: 512-428-1281

Quinn W. Warnick Assistant Professor of English Writing and Rhetoric Phone: 512-485-4622

Corinne Weisgerber, PhD Assistant Professor of Communication Phone: 512-492-3112

Susan Whiteside Instructor of Advertising and Communication Phone: 512-428-1210

Michael B. Yang Assistant Professor of English Writing and Rhetoric Phone: 512-637-1960

William J. Zanardi, PhD Professor of Philosophy Phone: 512-448-8610

Fine Arts Center
Mary Moody Northen Theatre

Fine Arts Center

Renovated: 2001

Overview

The Fine Arts Center provides a rich, dynamic environment where students draw inspiration across many creative programs, including art, graphic design, photocommunications and theater. The energy of ideas reciprocates throughout classrooms, workshops, studios and labs. At the heart of the Fine Arts Center is a spacious art gallery that showcases student artwork and exhibits from noted local, regional and national artists and faculty.

Key Features

Studios for clay sculpture, painting and drawing, design, and printmaking
Modern and updated traditional film-based and wet laboratory facilities, plus advanced imaging lab for exhibition and portfolio works
Graphic design lab with Macintosh computers, plus hardware and software for editing graphics, film and video
Student lockers to securely store materials and artwork
Patio with comfortable seating for students to share ideas and collaborate on projects
Professional exhibition space
Costume shop, theatrical lighting studio and dance studio

Faculty Perspective

"With the amazing natural light flooding the fine art studios, it is a joy to teach in these classrooms. The Fine Arts Center is always filled with the creative spirit of the programs it houses."

Hollis Hammonds
Area Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Art
Director of Fine Arts Exhibit Program

Student Perspective

"For many humanities students, the Fine Arts Center is like a second home. After working inside for long hours pursuing their passion — and often through the night — it's nice to take a break and relax in the sunlight on the wonderful front patio, where everyone hangs out between classes."

Rebecca Marino ’10
Photocommunications

The Mary Moody Northen Theatre brings students and professionals together.

Mary Moody Northen Theatre

Built: 1972

Overview

Master your craft, on or off the stage, in a theater that demands the very best of your talents. The Mary Moody Northen Theatre is an intimate theater-in-the-round, challenging cast and crew to play to an audience that surrounds the performance.

Fashioned after the Tony Award–winning Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., designed by Edward Magnum, this venue brings the world of professional theater arts to life. Magnum helped create the Theater Arts program at St. Edward's. Performers such as William Shatner, Sonny Bono, Stephanie Powers, Ed Begley Jr. and Pat O’Brien have shared their craft with students at St. Edward’s. The Mary Moody Northen Theatre operates professionally, producing four plays a year and giving students hands-on experience in every aspect of theater.

Key Features

Theater-in-the-round encourages students to stretch their boundaries and test their skills
Seats an audience of fewer than 200 members for close interaction between audience and actors

Faculty Perspective

"Theater-in-the-round engages the audience and actors in an extremely intimate setting, since there is never a moment when the ‘action’ is farther away from any given side of the audience. It’s a place where theater art students and visiting professionals come to set the imagination whirling, resulting in more exciting theater productions and performance."

Sheila Gordon
Assistant Professor of Theater Arts
Area Coordinator, Theater Arts

Student Perspective

"In this setting, you can’t turn your back on the audience — it forces you to deliver a performance viewed from all perspectives. As an actor who always worked in a proscenium theater in high school, this experience is invaluable."

Chris Smith ’10
Theater Performance

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Academics

School of Humanities

Dean's Message

Faculty

Facilities

Fine Arts Center

Overview

Key Features

Faculty Perspective

Student Perspective

Mary Moody Northen Theatre

Overview

Key Features

Faculty Perspective

Student Perspective

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School of Humanities

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School of Natural Sciences

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