Arrington Conversation Features Best-selling Author Father James Martin
By Andrea DeHaan, CHaSS Communications Editor
USU Professor Patrick Mason, Leonard J. Arrington Chair of Mormon History and Culture, recently interviewed Father James Martin, Jesuit Catholic priest, New York Times best-selling author, and former “chaplain” of The Colbert Report.
On Sept. 19, 2023, Mason and Martin shared a thoughtful and personal discussion for an audience on Zoom entitled “Faith in America Today: A Conversation with Fr. James Martin, SJ.” The event was part of the Arrington Conversations series.
Topics included Martin’s own decision to join the Jesuits, different styles of Catholic worship, and how Martin has chosen to offer guidance through books, media, and direct encounters with parishioners.
"I wanted to introduce Fr. Martin to the USU community precisely because he is such a well-known and respected voice on faith and spirituality,” Mason said. “He absolutely delivered, demonstrating his trademark combination of insight, curiosity, compassion, and humor.”
The candid conversation featured both men talking openly about their own spiritual practices and how people can be open to wisdom from other religious traditions.
“Patrick did an amazing job of creating an environment where everyone felt comfortable,” said one attendee. “I thoroughly enjoyed myself.”
15 undergraduate English students from Logan, Vernal, and Ephraim campuses presented at the 100th Sigma Tau Delta International English Honors Society Convention and won awards in three categories.
5 Questions for a CHaSS Grad highlights the awesome things our alumni go on to do. Meet Kat Webb, content director for the Aspire NSF Engineering Research Center on USU’s Innovation campus. When not working, Kat can be found playing soccer with her son, u...