Capstone

All students working toward a Catholic studies minor must attend three capstone seminars with the program director or a designated Catholic studies faculty member during the final semester of their senior year. Two capstone seminars involve making presentations to fellow seniors. The purpose of these two presentations is to create an informal context for students to explore and discuss the relationship between the Catholic intellectual and artistic traditions and their major field of study using various media, such as film, literature, theology, philosophy, poetry, autobiography, music, and development in the sciences. At the third capstone seminar, students will present their work to faculty members and a larger group of students participating in the Catholic studies minor.

Capstone Projects

Congratulations to the Class of 2021!

2021 Catholic Studies Banquet Program

	Lissette Amón Hometown: Biblián, Cañar, Ecuador & Chicago, IL Major(s): Psychology, Theology Minor(s): Catholic Studies Hobbies: Reading, crocheting, cooking & baking, dancing, crafts, etc. Favorite Saint: Sta. Narcisa de Jesús Capstone Project Title: "Lo Cotidiano y Dios / Daily Life and God"
	Laura Bottei Hometown: Green Bay, WI Major: Music, Psychology Minor(s): Catholic Studies Hobbies: music (obviously), cooking, being vegan, yoga, gymnastics, dogs Favorite Saint: John (the Evangelist) and Joan of Arc Capstone Project Title: Music, Work, and Faith in Myself & Other Young Adult Professional Church Musicians
	Maxwell Dziabis Hometown: Addison, IL Major: Theology, English Minor(s): Theatre, Catholic Studies Hobbies: Reading, gaming, taking walks, writing new versions of Turnabout Musical Favorite Saint: Probably St. Oscar Romero Capstone Project Title: Interested, or, How I’m Learning To Be Okay With Not Knowing
	Megan Mullenbach Hometown: Urbandale, IA Majors: Environmental Policy and Political Science Minors: Catholic Studies and History Hobbies: reading, baking, and crocheting Favorite saint: St. Francis of Assisi Capstone title: The Teachings of St. Francis of Assisi and Eco-Spirituality Can Help Us Tackle the Ecological Crisis
	Thomas Olson Hometown: Vernon Hills Major: Biology and Latin Minor(s): Catholic Studies and Classic Civilization Hobbies: Playing guitar, reading, and traveling Favorite Saint: St. Augustine Capstone Project Title" Niggling Imperfection
	Frances Rafferty Hometown: Carmel, IN Major: Environmental Policy Minor: Catholic Studies Hobbies: Creating music, rock-climbing, reading, growing mushrooms, and tending to plant babies Favorite: St. Francis of Assisi and St. Joan of Arc Capstone Project Title: Hope in the Death-Haunted Desert of a World in Crisis
	Mitchell Stephens Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri Major: History Minor(s): Catholic Studies, Criminal Justice Hobbies: Reading, spending time with friends, hiking Favorite Saint: St. Joseph Capstone Project Title: The Grace of a Cannonball: A Reflection on Sainthood and Suffering
	Amanda Timlin Hometown: Barrington, IL Major: Secondary Education, History Minor: Catholic Studies Hobbies: Exercise and cooking Favorite Saint: Joan of Arc Capstone Project Title: What is Your Calling? A Service-Learning Lesson for High School Students
	Danny Warwick Hometown: Tulsa, Oklahoma Majors: Theology & Music (Vocal Performance) Minor: Catholic Studies Hobbies: Boxing, Photography, Archery, Reading, and Crochet Favorite Saint: Damien of Molokai Capstone: Theology of the Imago Dei, and Other Essays for the Modern Church

2020 Capstone Banquet Program

Kileen Albright	Hometown: Gurnee, IL Major: Nursing Minor: Catholic Studies Hobbies: reading, hiking, and taking care of my many houseplants! Favorite Saint: St. Therese of Lisieux is my homegirl, but Pope St. JPII, St. Joseph, and St. Francis of Assisi are close seconds! Capstone Project: A Prayer for an Increase in Respect for Human Dignity...
Sylvester Alonz	Hometown: Republic of Palau Major: Religious Studies Minor: Catholic Studies, Chinese Language and Culture Hobbies: Playing ukelele, traveling, reading, and snorkeling Interests: Religion, Culture (East and South Asian, Latin, Francophonic, Middle Eastern) Favorite Saints/ "Saintly People": Francis Xavier, Oscar Romero, Sr. Helen Prejean Capstone Project: Finding God in All Things: A Multifaith Calling
Salena Ibrahim	Hometown: Oak Lawn, IL, a south suburb of Chicago. Major: Secondary Education and English Minor: Catholic Studies and Special Education Interests: Reading/writing, trying new recipes, and putting her sarcasm to good use! She also loves spending time outside, no matter the season. So, naturally, Favorite Saint: St. Francis of Assisi! Capstone Project: Everything Is Connected Salena's Project Statement
Kennedy Murphy	Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI, but has lived all over the state. She spent her middle school years in Houghton Lake, her high school years and most of college in Carson City, and is now back in Grand Rapids with her family. Major: Advertising and Public Relations Minor: Catholic Studies and Sports Management Career Goals: She is excited to pursue a career in collegiate athletics. Interests: Reading, watching movies with her siblings, and playing quidditch. One thing she is looking forward to most after the stay-at-home order is enjoying a movie in a theater with a large bucket of popcorn (with extra butter). Favorite Saints: St. Sebastian and St. Bernadette Capstone Project: Quarantine Cookbook Kennedy's Project Statement
Veronica Rusk	Hometown: I grew up in South Florida and moved to Chicago a few years ago. Major: Film and Women's and Gender Studies Minor: Catholic Studies Interests: Reading, writing, and watching Disney movies; spending time with friends and family. Favorite Saint: St. Martha, who is my confirmation saint. I've always admired her story and been inspired by her faith. Capstone Project: Jesus Died for Our Sins, Too Veronica's Project Statement
Justyna Skowronski	Hometown: Orland Park, IL (Southwest suburbs of Chicago) Major: English Minor: Catholic Studies and Journalism Hobbies: Running and biking down the lakefront, reading anything and everything, rock climbing, playing violin, spending time with her 10 siblings, and trying out new cafes and restaurants in the city. Favorite Saints: St. Gemma Galgani, St. Gianna Beretta Molla, St. Kateri Tekakwitha Capstone Project: A Modern Day Book of Saints Justyna's Project Statement