Disciplines
Oral History
Abstract
Father Brian D., S.J., is an American Jesuit priest and the Catherine F. Huiskin Professor of Theology (Emeritus) at the University of Notre Dame. In 2012, he received the illustrious Ratzinger Prize for Theology based on his ecumenical work in Church history and Orthodox studies, which Pope Benedict XVI praised for "knowing and loving the one and undivided Church [and] the wealth of her different traditions."
Before working and studying at Notre Dame, Oxford, and the Weston School of Theology, however, Brian D. was a graduate of the Fordham University Rose Hill Honors class of 1961. He majored in Classics, completed his thesis on fourth-century Christian-Latin poetry, and upon graduation became the first Rhodes Scholar from Fordham University.
In his interview, Brian D. reflects on the reading requirements of the honors program, the academic seminars, and his (somewhat unique) experience as a boarding student at Fordham. He expresses the challenging yet rewarding nature of the honors curriculum, and how it prepared him for his Ph.D. from Oxford and his entrance into the Society of Jesus. Brian identifies many of the most influential figures from his time at Fordham, including honors professors, administrators, and his honors peers.
Brian's interview was conducted by Kevin McKenna, FCRH honors class of 2007.
Recommended Citation
FCRH Honors Program. "Interview with Brian D.," FCRH Honors Program Oral History Project, Fordham University, 2025. https://research.library.fordham.edu/honorsprogram_fcrh_oral_history/
