March 13, 2008

CUA President Announces Judges for Papal Essay Contest

Very Rev. David M. O’Connell, C.M., president of Catholic University, has assembled a panel of judges to recommend a winner and runner-up in the Papal Visit — Student Essay Contest. All CUA students – undergraduate, graduate and law – have been invited to submit a 500-word essay on the topic “How Catholic education has changed my life.”

The following members of the CUA community will serve as judges:

• John J. Convey, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Professor of Education
  
• Leonard DeFiore, Research Professor and Brother Patrick Ellis Professor of Education
  
• Rev. Brad Heckathorne, O.F.M. Conv., Assistant Chaplain for Graduate Students and Staff
  
• Marie Raber, Assistant Dean and Associate Professor, National Catholic School of Social Service
  
• Leslie Tentler, Professor, Department of History, and  Knights of Columbus Scholar
  
• Shavaun Wall, Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Studies

“I am grateful to these six colleagues for agreeing to give generously of their time in this endeavor,” said Father O’Connell. “Each of them brings her or his own special expertise and insight to the field of Catholic education and is eminently qualified to help me in selecting the best essay.”

The jurors will receive all the essays after the March 18 deadline for submission and, working independently, will each select the top three essays, ranking them in order of preference. Their results will be submitted to Father O’Connell, who will choose among the finalists one winner and one runner-up.

The winner of the essay contest will be personally introduced to Pope Benedict XVI by Father O’Connell when the Holy Father visits campus on April 17.  Both the winner and the runner-up will attend the pontiff’s address and a post-address reception.