If you are qualified (teach theology at a Catholic High School, College or University) and have an interest participating, please contact Mark Kurowski.

Dr. Rita George-Tvrtkovic, Ph. D., Assistant Professor of Theology and Religion, Benedictine University

Rita George Tvrtkovic is assistant professor of theology at Benedictine University. Before completing her doctorate at the University of Notre Dame, she served as associate director of the Archdiocese of Chicago's Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. She and her husband Zoran live in Chicago with their two children, Luka and Anya.

Christine Fletcher, Assistant Professor of Theology, Benedictine University

Fletcher is an assistant professor of Theology at Benedictine University and an Oblate of St Procopius Abbey in Lisle. She designed a new Theology program at Benedictine which includes a certificate in Theology in Life. Fletcher earned a master's degree in Politics and Philosophy from Oxford University and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Theology with subspecialties in Business Ethics and Literature from Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, England. She has worked in various fields including merchant banking and IT consulting, and previously edited a magazine on business ethics. She presented a paper at a conference at the Vatican sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace in March 2005, and has lectured at the Dorothy L. Sayers Society Annual Convention, the Phoenix Institute Oxford Summer program and at Blackfriars in Cambridge. While living in England, she occasionally appeared on BBC1's "Heaven and Earth" discussing ethical questions.

 Fr. Joel Rippinger, OSB, Marmion Abbey and Marmion Academy, Aurora, IL

Fr. Joel Rippinger has been a monk of Marmion Abbey, Aurora, IL., since 1968.  He has an M.A. from the University of Notre Dame in Religious History and an S.T.L. Degree in Monastic Studies from the Pontifical University of St. Anselm in Rome.  At Marmion Abbey he has served as Vocation Director, Formation Director and Director of Oblates.  At Marmion Academy he has been an instructor in Theology and History and has  served as Faculty/Staff Chaplain.  He has taught summer school at St. John’s School of Theology in Minnesota, St. Meinrad School of Theology in Indiana and in the Juniorate Summer Program of American Benedictines.  Over several decades, he has contributed books and articles on the history of Benedictines and monastic spirituality.  He has given retreats to religious communities, as well as carrying on an extensive ministry in spiritual direction.

Fr. David Turner, O.S.B., Assistant Provost for Institutional Mission, Benedictine University

A graduate of Benedictine University with a degree in Philosophy, Fr. Turner joined the order of monks of St. Procopius Abbey and professed vows in 1957. He was ordained a Roman Catholic Priest six years later. Fr. Turner earned a Master of Arts in Educational Psychology from the University of Minnesota in 1963 and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Minnesota in 1970.

Fr. Turner also earned a Master of Divinity from Mount Angel Seminary in St. Benedict, Ore., and a Doctor of Divinity in Theology and Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey.  Fr. Turner has served in a number of capacities at Benedictine University, ranging from Director of Public Relations to Dean of Academic Services. He was also the Director of Institutional Mission and University Ministry (University Chaplain) and an adjunct professor of Humanities. Fr. Turner has given dozens of retreats to priests and religious during his 46 years as a priest, and is also a frequent presenter of parish lecture programs in the areas of theology and psychology.

Mr. Gerry Czerak, Alumnus of Benedictine University, Class of 1991

Gerry Czerak is the retired business administrator at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Parish in Naperville, where he served over 12 years.  He previously had served at St. Procopius/Illinois Benedictine for more than 20 years in the roles of Director of Public Relations and Director of Marketing/Communications, both in University Advancement and Enrollment Management, under three different Illinois Benedictine College (former name of BenU) presidents.  After earning a bachelor's degree in English at DePaul and a master's in journalism at Northwestern, he later earned his MBA from Benedictine's evening program with a marketing concentration.  He as served multiple terms on the BenU Alumni Board of Directors.  A product of Catholic schools himself, he has three adult children who earned bachelor's degrees at BenU, and 13 grandchildren all enrolled in Catholic schools in Aurora, Chicago and Bolingbrook.

Susan Ross, Alumna Benedictine University, Class of 1979

Susan (Udelhofen) Ross graduated from Benedictine University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature & Communications in 1979.   Since 2004, she has been the Assistant to the President at The Morton Arboretum, an outdoor museum dedicated to saving and planting trees through its programs in research, education, and plant collections.  She came to Morton from a 25-year career at a telecommunications training center where she had managerial roles in public relations, marketing, and human resources. She has been involved with the Alumni Association of Benedictine University for many years, including serving as president on the Board of Directors.

Catholic Faith. Welcoming Spirit.