Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) has established a chapter of the Thomistic Institute, an academic club network supported by the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. The Thomistic Institute aims to “promote Catholic truth in our contemporary world by strengthening the intellectual formation of Christians at universities, in the Church, and in the wider public square.”

Dr. Geoffrey Friesen, faculty advisor for the local chapter, explained: “Catholicism has always been both devotional and intellectual. From Augustine and Aquinas to Edith Stein and Benedict XVI, the Church has insisted that faith seeks understanding. The Thomistic Institute allows students and the wider community to engage that tradition in a serious and joyful way.”

The student-led group at UNL has started organizing lectures, seminars, and reading groups on campus.

Claire Polk, a sophomore from Lincoln involved with the chapter, said: “The Thomistic Institute has allowed me to participate in the active intellectual tradition of the Church. This facet of the Church could be seen as cut off and distant from the young, lay individual, but the Thomistic Institute has allowed me to correspond and interact with the religious, professors, and thinkers who are currently at the forefront of this tradition.” She added that her favorite aspect is engaging with speakers after events: “It’s afterwards,” she said, “when the student leaders and speaker are able to go and share a meal together and talk with one another. Some of my personal favorite conversations have revolved around truth, beauty, artwork and architecture, and even the changing desire within young people to look into the Catholic faith and teaching. To be able to discuss these important topics with older, wiser Catholic thinkers is an amazing experience and opportunity!”

Spencer Yaghmour, a junior from Lincoln also participating in TI activities on campus stated his motivation is “to help be ‘a light’ on campus” as well as “to help people who may not have much experience with the Lord have an opportunity to meet him in a way that is not offered in many other places.” He continued: “I really like the opportunity to have an intellectual discussion with people who also enjoy intellectual discussions. It challenges what I believe and what I think I know.”

This fall’s series will feature national scholars visiting Lincoln. Dr. Nathaniel Peters from Morningside Institute will present a lecture titled “Monks, Clerics, and Female Mystics: An Introduction to Medieval Theology” on September 25 at 5 p.m., held in Pioneers Suite at Willa Cather Dining Hall at UNL; this event is free for all attendees. Additional talks include Professor Lee Oser from College of Holy Cross discussing “Christian Humanism and Shakespeare” on October 16; Professor Joseph Capizzi from Catholic University of America will speak November 6 about property rights within Catholic tradition.

With these programs underway at UNL’s new chapter—one among more than 80 chapters across several countries—the organization continues its focus on fostering dialogue between faith and reason.