FELLOWS

Gavin F. Hurley is an Associate Professor of Communication& Literature and Director of the Writing Program at Ave Maria University.With a Ph.D. in Writing & Rhetoric, he explores the cooperation of rhetoricand dialectic in writing, film, and literature. His scholarly workincludes numerous publications in essay collections and peer-reviewed journals.His forthcoming book examines how the classical rhetorical arts elevatebusiness communication. Dr. Hurley teaches a range of undergraduate courses,from travel writing to multimedia journalism, as well as graduate-level communicationcourses for the MBA program.

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I’m excited to help Institute Scholars excel as eloquentleaders in the professional sphere. I appreciate how the Institute nourishesactive and innovative applications of the classical liberal arts.

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Wellesley College, Washington University, Illinois Institute of Technology

Mary Hunt is an accomplished Industrial/Organizational Psychologist and Assistant Professor of Psychology and Business at Ave Maria University, where she has taught for over a decade. Specializing in leadership, management, and organizational development, she also serves as Director of the Business Department, leading online education initiatives. As co-founder of Home Advantage Plus, LLC, she brings her expertise in performance management and work-life integration to consulting. Dr. Hunt holds a Master’s degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and is currently a Ph.D. candidate researching work-family conflict among entrepreneurs.

Wellesley College, Washington University, Illinois Institute of Technology

Peter Whalen is an Associate Professor of Marketing and Entrepreneurship at Ave Maria University. With a rich academic background, including a PhD in Marketing from the University of Oregon, Dr. Whalen's research interests encompass entrepreneurial marketing, effectuation, and strategic marketing planning. He has published numerous journal articles and has contributed to notable publications like the Harvard Business Review. Prior to his tenure at Ave Maria, he held positions at The Pennsylvania State University and the University of Denver, where he made significant contributions to entrepreneurial education and research.

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Thomas Aquinas College, Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, Ave Maria University

Daniel Lendman is an Assistant Professor of Theology at Ave Maria University. With a Ph.D. in Theology, focusing on systematic and moral theology, his scholarly work includes a forthcoming book on St. Thomas Aquinas and numerous peer-reviewed publications. He has taught a wide range of courses, from New Testament studies to moral theology, and has presented at various international conferences. Fluent in multiple languages, Dr. Lendman's academic pursuits reflect his deep commitment to the intersection of faith and reason.

Princeton University, University of Texas at Austin, University of St. Andrews, UK

Janice Breidenbach is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Ave Maria University and a member of the Aquinas Institute at Oxford's Blackfriars Hall. She is also a Senior Affiliate of the Program for Research on Religion and Urban Civil Society at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research focuses on philosophy of action, science, metaphysics, and human rights, with work published by Routledge and Cambridge University Press. Dr. Breidenbach has held visiting positions at the University of Florida, Oxford, and Penn. She holds degrees from Princeton, the University of Texas at Austin, and a Ph.D. from the University of St Andrews.

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University of Dallas

Travis Curtright is currently serving as the Chair of the Humanities and Liberal Studies Program at Ave Maria University. He is the founder and director of Shakespeare in Performance, which includes a performance troupe and a summer theater camp, housed in the Donahue Family Black Box Theater. Dr. Curtright is a Research Fellow at the Center for Thomas More Studies at the University of Dallas, furthering the study of More’s writings and influence. Curtright received his PhD in Literature from The University of Dallas.

Teaching young people how to pursue excellence in their work, and how to view their work as a means of seeking sanctity.

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University of Houston

John Davis is an Adjunct Professor of Economics at Ave Maria University and a seasoned global executive with over 40 years of experience. As Executive Vice President at Norfolk Iron and Metal, he drove revenue growth and profitability while bridging cultural divides within organizations. A skilled public speaker and educator, John has taught negotiation tactics to teams and promotes STEM education through his work with Newman House Press and Purdue University. He holds a Master of Science in Management and a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering and Process Control.

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As a deeply Christ-centered Catholic University, AMU is built on a long legacy of Catholicism's intellectual and spiritual pursuit of truth and wisdom. With the rapid societal moral decay, and just as rapidly expanding scientific advances, The Institute is critical to the formation of Scholars that can navigate and lead our future generations.

Bishop’s University, University of Ottawa, McGill University

Seana Sugrue is the Chair of Politics at Ave Maria University, where she has previously served as Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty. With over 20 years of experience teaching constitutional law and civil liberties, she co-founded the Center for Catholic Citizenship in 2024 and serves as a pre-law advisor for students. Originally from Canada, she holds degrees from the University of Ottawa and McGill University and is the proud mother of three talented daughters.

I look forward to assisting trailblazing students in securing internships and first jobs. Ave students represent the future of America and the Catholic Church.

University of Westminster

With a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, Samuel Shepard focuses on sustainable fisheries within social-ecological systems. His recent work emphasizes integrating local ecological knowledge into the assessment of data-limited fisheries. He has held significant research positions, including a Postdoctoral role at Queen's University Belfast, where he contributed to the EU FP7 project MYFISH on Maximum Sustainable Yield. Additionally, his expertise spans stock assessment, aquaculture fisheries, and human dimensions of ecological systems.

I am interested in teaching and mentoring AMU students to participate as faithful and dynamic Catholics at the highest international levels of their profession.

Ave Maria University, University of Aberdeen

Alexander Crawford is an Instructor of History and Assistant Dean of Student Success at Ave Maria University. A co-founder and senior editor of the academic journal Granite, Dr. Crawford has presented his research at numerous conferences and is actively involved in the editorial work of the critical edition of the works of John Paul II. Crawford earned his Ph.D. from the University of Aberdeen.

Central to our institutional mission at AMU is the formation of our students in the intellectual and moral virtues and the development of professional and pre-professional programs. This Institute answers both of these calls. I am most excited by the opportunity to interact with Scholars, maximize their abilities, and set them on a path to transform society and industry from within.

Trinity Western University, Ave Maria University, University of Durham

Gerald Boersma is a Professor of Theology at Ave Maria University, where he also directs the M.A. Theology Program and the American Academy of Catholic Scholars and Artists. Boersma has published numerous works on Augustine and Thomistic theology, contributing significantly to contemporary theological discourse. Boersma received his Ph.D. from the University of Durham.

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Wheaton College, Washington University

Timothy Iijima is an Assistant Professor of Finance at Ave Maria University. Iijima has over 16 years of consulting experience with Ernst & Young, specializing in finance, strategy, and risk management. In addition to his academic role, he founded Look Sharp Inc., a successful dry cleaning and laundry business in the DC area. Timothy received his Ph.D. in Public Finance from Washington University.

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Providence College, University of Rochester

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Tony Barbosa is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Ave Maria University with over 25 years of experience in drug discovery. As Vice President of Research at Allosite Therapeutics, he leads efforts on treatments for diseases like cancer and lupus. Dr. Barbosa has secured numerous NIH grants and advanced therapeutics through clinical trials, demonstrating his commitment to education and medical research. He holds a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Rochester.

I am interested in joining the Institute to help develop AMU students to become future leaders and experts in our country. By providing an incubator for students to grow their personal and professional skillset under the mantle of Our Lady's protection, they will be prepared to enter the world to engage the challenges of secular society. By developing our top students, we will help to develop influential leaders with a foundation grounded in the moral teachings of the Catholic Church.

University of South Carolina, University of Notre Dame, George Washington University

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Gabriel Martinez is an Associate Professor of Business and Economics at Ave Maria University, where he has dedicated his career to teaching economics, statistics, and business courses since 2010. Martinez has developed online education programs and has led accreditation efforts for Ave Maria while researching and publishing numerous peer-reviewed articles on topics ranging from economic crises to educational methodologies. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Economics from the University of Notre Dame.

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Ph.D, Virginia Tech; B.S., Villanova University

Saverio Perugini is the Director of the Computer Science Program at Ave Maria University. He has over 20 years of experience in higher education. Perugini has published over 40 refereed papers in scholarly journals and conferences and secured nearly $300,000 in NSF research funding, demonstrating his commitment to advancing knowledge in computer science. In 2023, he published a book on programming languages titled Programming Languages: Concepts and Implementation with Jones & Bartlett Learning. Perugini received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Virginia Tech in 2004.  

Attracting bright and talented Catholic students to AMU.

Northwestern University, University of Cambridge

Michael Breidenbach is an Associate Professor of History at Ave Maria University. He is the author of Our Dear-Bought Liberty: Catholics and Religious Toleration in Early America (Harvard University Press, 2021), which received recognition as a runner-up for the Journal of the American Revolution Book of the Year Award. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, Dr. Breidenbach has held research positions at prestigious institutions, including Princeton and Oxford, and his writings have appeared in prominent publications such as the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post. He earned his Ph.D. from King’s College, Cambridge and resides in Southwest Florida with his wife, Janice, and their son.

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Catholic University of America, John Paul the Great Catholic University

Neil Watson is an adjunct professor of business at Ave Maria University, teaching marketing research, international business, and consumer behavior. He also serves as the university's Director of Marketing, managing all marketing content and strategies. With a diverse background, Neil previously held key roles at Tillamook Creamery and Adidas, where he drove growth and improved marketing through strategic insights and innovation. He holds a Master’s in Business Analysis from The Catholic University of America and a Bachelor’s in Business Entrepreneurship from John Paul the Great University.

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As Benedict XVI wrote, “'education' refers not only to classroom teaching and vocational training — both of which are important factors in development — but to the complete formation of the person." This is what The Institute at AMU seeks. I am excited to be a part of that mission.

Bowling Green State University, Northwestern University

Stephen Thong is the Chair and Associate Professor of Chemistry at Ave Maria University. Thong specializes in R&D leadership, having contributed research towards major companies including RANIR, Church & Dwight, and Gillette. Stephen received his PhD from Northwestern University.

Helping to prepare impactful and joyful disciples of Christ to help transform the corporate world with the gospel message.

University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Dave Durand is a seasoned entrepreneur, acclaimed author of six books, and host of a popular radio/YouTube show. As co-founder and former CEO of Best Version Media, he now serves as Executive Chairman, having built and sold businesses with over a billion dollars in combined sales. He is also the CEO of Leading Giants, coaching leaders to enhance their influence and grow their businesses. A father of nine, Dave has been named Glassdoor’s most admired CEO three times and was honored as Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year.

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Ave Maria is the greatest University of any type for forming the character and intellect of future leaders. Being able to share insights regarding leadership and entrepreneurship will be highly rewarding.

University of Waterloo, University of Guelph

Peter Adamic is an Associate Professor in the Mathematics Department at Ave Maria University. Previously, he was an Associate Professor at Laurentian University in Canada. His research focuses on survival analysis, actuarial mathematics, and nonparametric statistics. Peter holds a PhD in Statistics from the University of Guelph.

I desire to support this initiative so as to further advance Ave Maria University's reputation as a preferred institution for high-achieving Catholic students. As educators and guides, we will have the opportunity to provide aspiring scholars with essential tools --- intellectual, spiritual, and professional --- in order to have an enduring impact on the lives of these students specifically and on the broader social and economic polity more generally, in full conformity with Ave Maria University's, and the Catholic Church's, august mission.

University of Dallas, Stony Brook University, The Catholic University of America

Jessica Schnepp is an Assistant Professor at Ave Maria University, specializing in the Catholic Grotesque with publications in peer-reviewed journals and general outlets. She teaches rhetoric, poetics, and genre studies and is involved in student organizations and editorial projects. Jessica earned her Ph.D. in English from The Catholic University of America, focusing on Twentieth-Century American and British Literature.

I'm interested in helping students with their professional development alongside a robust liberal arts education and helping students see the connections between the two. I'd like to see collaboration between the Institute and the literature program so that the literature program becomes nationally known not only for stellar academics but also for placing students in arts, media, and publishing careers.

University of Mount Union, Duquesne University

Justin Bonanno is the Chair of the Communications and Literature Departments at Ave Maria University. Actively involved in academic conferences and editorial work, he focuses on advancing communication ethics and rhetoric. His research explores the intersection of technology, media, and ethical communication. Bonanno holds a Ph.D. in Rhetoric from Duquesne University.

Too often, academics isolate themselves from what is happening in the outside environment, especially in the business realm. Alternatively, many take a utilitarian approach to education, emphasizing that degrees must be useful, which tends to downplay the importance of the liberal arts. This Institute can help find a middle ground between the Ivory Tower and the utilitarian world of total work by encouraging students and faculty to play at the boundary of the academy and the marketplace.