Inside the Core: Faculty Development Focuses on Dorothy Day

In an earlier Inside the Core, the new requirement for Core I classes to include either Elizabeth Ann Seton or Dorothy Day or both among required writers (Seton’s letters and one or more of Day’s many writings) was explained and celebrated. See this issue from the beginning of the semester for more details. In light of this new development, early in the semester Elizabeth Redwine, Ph.D., Core I Coordinator, had a faculty development focused on Elizabeth Ann Seton (led by Mary Balkun, Ph.D. and Nancy Enright, Ph.D.). On November 13, Redwine will hold the last Core I Faculty Development for the semester focusing on Dorothy Day, led by Jon Radwan, Ph.D., of the Department of Communication with our very special guest, Martha Hennessy, Dorothy Day’s granddaughter.

This is not the first time Martha Hennessy will speak at Seton Hall (though this time it is on Teams). In November of 2024, she was a guest speaker here, sponsored by the University Core and the Catholic Studies Program. It was a very inspiring and beautiful event where Martha Hennessy shared memories of her famous grandmother, told from the perspective of someone very close to her but also with an awareness of the scope of her grandmother’s legacy. Dorothy Day’s daughter Tamar had nine children; Martha is the seventh. The Seton Hall community is very honored to have her join our faculty development as we make Day, always an author among our modern options, even more integral to the University Core at Seton Hall.

Radwan will lead the teaching aspects of the program. A longstanding faculty member in the Core, Radwan has been involved in Core leadership and events for many years. Serving on the UCCC (University Core Curriculum Committee) and being the driving force behind CORECAST, a series of podcasts involving conversations between a faculty member and a selected student about a particular text from the Core, he has a deep interest in Dorothy Day. Several years ago, he brought students to the Catholic Worker house in NYC, where Dorothy Day lived and died. He will bring a depth of respect and knowledge of Day and the Catholic Worker movement to his presentation.

Finally, on November 21 one of our new adjunct faculty members, Hannah Benson, is taking a group of students on a class trip to visit sites in NYC connected with Dorothy Day, ending at the Catholic Worker House. The Core Director Nancy Enright and Assistant Director Giselle Pineda will be accompanying the group from South Orange and going on the class trip with Professor Benson.

Overall, Seton Hall’s University Core is committed to preserving the legacy of Dorothy Day and helping our students to understand her importance. Now called Servant of God (a first stage toward canonization in the Roman Catholic Church), Dorothy Day has inspired generations both inside and outside the Church. We are grateful to her, to her granddaughter Martha and to our faculty for keeping the flame burning.

Categories: Education, Faith and Service