Dr. Mark Davies stepped down from his position as dean of Petree College of Arts and Sciences to work more closely with students, after 15 years of collegiate dean and associate dean titles.
“I wanted to get more involved in social and ecological responsibility work,” Davies said. “ This way, I can spend more time teaching and directly engaging students.”
Davies is now the director of a new institute at OCU called World House Institute for Social and Ecological Responsibility. The organization promotes curricular and co-curricular work at the university that cultivates systemic transformation for a more peaceful, just and sustainable world.
The Willson Lectures, one of the institute’s events, will be presented by Dr. John J. Thatamanil Oct. 15. Thatamanil is Associate Professor of Theology and World Religions at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He will speak on the topic, “The Promise of Religious Diversity.”
Davies also oversees the Vivian Wimberly Center for Ethics and Servant Leadership, which organizes campus service learning and workshops regarding ethics. World House includes the Owen Wimberly Center for Continuing Education in Religion, which hosts workshops, events and lectures for the purpose of education in clergy.
“Mark and I have worked on interfaith programs at the university,” said the Rev. Rodney Newman, director of religious life. “His new position will give us the opportunity to expand those programs and make them a reality.”
Davies also is the Wimberly professor of ethics, meaning he will teach about five classes each year in the ethics field.
Amy Cataldi, previously the associate dean of Petree College of Arts and Sciences, will serve as interim dean.
Dr. Helen Gaudin, professor of biology, will serve in Cataldi’s place as associate dean.
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