Jim Winterer ’71 September 8, 2011 University News

Hans Gustafson, a doctoral candidate in religion at the Claremont Graduate University, has been named assistant director of the Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning, which is a joint enterprise of the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, and St. John’s University, Collegeville.

The announcement was made by John Merkle, the center’s director.

“Hans is especially well-prepared to advance the work of the Jay Phillips Center,” Merkle said. “He has a superb background in the study of religion, significant interfaith experience and learning, and well-developed administrative talents.”

A native and current resident of Minneapolis, Gustafson has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and theology from Boston College and holds two master’s degrees, one in theology from the University of St. Thomas and the other in philosophy from Claremont Graduate University.

Gustafson’s scholarly work reflects a commitment to ecumenical and interreligious learning. He describes himself as “passionate about promoting interfaith collaboration and solidarity among students and others served by the Jay Phillips Center,” and he says he is “looking forward to continuing that great conversation which engages the big questions in life from a diverse range of religious and spiritual perspectives.”

While working on his doctoral dissertation, Gustafson has taught at several colleges and universities, including the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University. This semester he is teaching the “Christian Theological Tradition” course at St. Thomas.

The Jay Phillips Center sponsors a host of interfaith activities, including public lectures, artistic performances, retreats for college students, and seminars for clergy. The events are held at the two sponsoring universities as well as at churches, synagogues, mosques and other places of worship.

March 17, 2011

Now through April 30, an exhibit of artworks by Robyn Stoller Awend, Renanah Halpern, and Diane von Arx, titled “Sacred Script: Letter, Word, Language,” will be on display in Terrence Murphy Hall on the Minneapolis campus.

This exhibit was co-curated by David J. Harris, interfaith art consultant for the Jay Phillips Center, and Mark E. Jensen, University of St. Thomas, and it combines the work of the three artists.

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March 15, 2011

In CAS we place a high priority on intercultural learning, whether through the interfaith initiatives of the Muslim-Christian Dialogue Center or the Jay Phillips Center for Interfaith Learning, through coursework such as in modern and classical languages or American culture and difference, through geographically diverse short- term study abroad programs, or through the ever-expanding work of the American Museum of Asmat Art at the University of St. Thomas.

March 1, 2011

The St. Paul Interfaith Network (SPIN) will hold its fourth annual Passover Seder for the Interfaith Community from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday, April 3, at the Mount Zion Temple, 1300 Summit Ave.

The Seder, which retells the story of Passover through ritual, readings and a shared meal, will be led by Rabbi Amy Eilberg along with leaders of several religious traditions.

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February 2, 2011

The University of St. Thomas, along with more than a dozen organizations, is sponsoring Interfaith Art pARTners, a collaborative festival of Twin Cities institutions promoting the arts as a catalyst for conversation within the context of faith and spirituality.

A variety of museums, places of worship, historical societies, performing art organizations and colleges are offering individual exhibitions and programming as they express their unique stories through various art forms. The goal of the collaboration is to advance an understanding of the diverse communities, cultures, faith traditions and spiritual beliefs in the broader community. The festival runs now through May.

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