Where did you grow up?
Many would argue that I never did. I'm one of them. But I spent my first 20 years in Buffalo.
What degrees do you have and where did you earn them?
AB and MA in English and PhL from Fordham, PhD from LeMoyne.
What publications and awards best represent your work?
39 books, 109 articles
--Catholic Press Association, 1982 Journalism Award: Best Article, "Carl Sagan's Gospel of Scientism."
--Catholic Press Association, 1989 Journalism Award: Best Article, "Selling Faith to Skeptics."
--Catholic Press Association, 1990 Journalism Award: Best Series on Mission: "Scripture from Scratch," "Teenage Spirituality," "Converting the Baptized."
--1990 F. Sadlier Dinger Award "In recognition of promoting nationally the primacy of the religious dimension of the Catholic schools in America."
--The first Legacy Award, GeVa Theatre, for 22 years' contribution to theatre in Rochester, NY, 1990.
--Catholic Press Association, 1991 Journalism Award, Best Article Originating with the Magazine, "The Vices of the Vows."
--Catholic Press Association, Best Book Award, 2009, Help My Unbelief.
What currently fascinates you?
(1) Being alive, despite the odds. (2) Holy Week.
Have you read any good novels lately?
Hilary Mantel, Wolf Hall, Bring up the Bodies, A Place of Greater Safety.
What classes are you most excited to teach this year?
I'm excited to teach ANY class. If I weren't, I'd quit.
If you had one piece of advice for students, what would it be?
Never--EVER--say, "Oh, I'm nobody." (Never.)
What are your office hours this quarter?
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30-11:30 a.m.