Russell Bold (MC '06)

Russell's thesis explored the phenomena of "cults" - new religious movements - from  around the world as well as in his own backyard. In January 2006, Russell traveled to Rome with other MC students and had the opportunity to shake the hand of Pope Benedict XVI (see photo right). As a student, Russell worked  as a resident assistant and head resident and hopes to pursue a career in the area of Student Life.

Jason Rittenhouse (MC '06)

 Jason's thesis explored "The Sonship Paradigm" as an alternative explanation to the synoptic problem.  He started the graduate program at McCormick Seminary in Chicago this fall to further pursue his interest in the New Testament. Jason also met Pope Benedict XVI along with the contingent from MC in January 2006. He hopes one day to serve as a research assistant to a minister.

 

 

Annie Shortridge (MC '06)

Annie combined her interest in religion with her interest in music for her thesis, through an exploration of contemporary Christian rock music. Annie worked as a Student Chaplain during her time at the college; she spent her spring semester before graduation studying in Florence and London. She hopes to build a career drawing on both of her loves, through a form of ministry that involves the arts. (No photo available).

 

 

Lisa Bondi (MC '05)

Lisa's thesis explored the role of gender in the traditional Christian understanding of God and critically examined some of the alternatives offered in recent Christian feminist theology.  Following graduation, she spent a year in the LEAP Master's of Education program at Valparaiso University. She is currently a graduate student at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT, where she is further pursuing her interest in women and religion. At Monmouth, Lisa served as one of the student chaplains; on the basis of that experience she was hired by Sacred Heart to be the graduate assistant in their campus ministry program. For more information on what Lisa is currently doing, see http://www.sacredheart.edu/pages/13719_lisa_bondi_b_a_.cfm

 Erin Musolf (MC '05)

Erin worked both as a hospital chaplain intern at the local hospital and as an intern at the United Methodist Church while a student. In 2003, she was awarded a fellowship from the Fund for Theological Education and participated in a summer workshop at Emory University.  Erin's thesis, "Theodicy and Illness: Embracing Questions, Promoting Healing" critically assessed the writings of Nel Noddings and Stanley Hauerwas on the subjects of evil and suffering.  She presented her work at both the 2004 and 2005 Midwest American Academy of Religion meetings. Following graduation, Erin spent a year working in a hospital in India as a part of the Presbyterian church's Young Adult Volunteers program. This fall, she will begin study at San Francisco Theological Seminary, working toward her Master of Divinity degree, funded in part by a scholarship from the Fund for Theological Education.

 

Wyatt Preul (MC '05)

Following the election of 2004, Wyatt's timely thesis was entitled "May God Continue to Bless America: The Religious Rhetoric of George W. Bush." He presented this work at the 2005 Midwest American Academy of Religion meeting in Chicago; Wyatt also presented a paper at the 2004 meeting as part of a panel on the problem of evil.  Immediately after graduation, Wyatt began working for HNI, Inc. in Muscatine, IA as a computer programmer. He recently moved to Philadelphia, PA and has been hired by Fellowship Technologies, where he will help develop websites for church leaders. Wyatt has a long-standing interest in process theology. Email: wpreul@gmail.com

Troy Stark (MC '05)

As the capstone experience of his major, Troy completed a thesis entitled "Are we the mistake?: Interrogating the Biblical Basis of Discrimination against Gays and Lesbians." Troy is currently completing his degree in chiropractic medicine at the Palmer Institute in the Quad Cities.

 

Jimmy Thomas (MC '05)

The first recipient of the the college's post-Baccalaureate fellowship, Jimmy spent part of his year working on an extensive survey of spiritual life on campus.  Jimmy presented his thesis, "Thomas Jefferson and the Enlightenment: Is America Jeffersonian?" at the 2005 Midwest American Academy of Religion meeting in Chicago. This fall, Jimmy started the master's program in history at Loyola University, where he hopes to focus on women in American religious history. Email: jthomas@monm.edu

 John Huxtable (MC '04)

John's senior thesis was entitled "Look Deeply, Listen Deeply: The Theology of Mutuality"  and engaged the thought of Thomas Merton and Carter Heyward.  John is currently pursuing a master's degree at Eden Seminary while serving as the pastor at First Christian Church  in Virden, IL. Email: fccv@royell.com