Mount Mercy University Philosophy

07/13/2026

On Saturday, July 11, Prof. Cross and two MMU students traveled to St. Raphael's Cathedral in Dubuque to attend a lecture by former MMU philosophy student Sean Pilcher on the subject of St. Cessian: a second century boy martyr who is also the patron saint of Iowa. We learned many things about relics in general as well as the history of the Archdiocese of Dubuque. We learned that the sealed box given to Bishop Loras in 1837 by Pope Gregory XVI containing the bones of St. Cessian had never been opened until just last year -- 188 years! After the lecture, we took some time to pray and venerate the relics of St. Cessian before getting lunch and returning to MMU.

07/09/2026

We're looking for someone to teach in-person intro-level philosophy courses this fall. The ideal candidate will be well-grounded in the history of philosophy and be able to teach the Catholic Philosophical Tradition.

https://stambroseuniv.applicantlist.com/jobs/1314265

06/13/2026

Professors Cross and Carlin at the Sacra Doctrina conference at the Augustine Institute in St. Louis, Missouri.

https://www.sacradoctrinaproject.org/conference

06/03/2026

The ultimate destination of all philosophical and theological inquiry, is the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the source of all love, truth, goodness, mercy, and wisdom. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us, fill our hearts with your love, enlighten our minds with your light, fill our lives with your Life.

The Catholic Church dedicates the entire month of June to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

05/18/2026

At our Honors Convocation on May 15, philosophy and theology double major Brian McGrane received four awards. From Professor Cross he received the Sister Monica Ryan Award for Excellence in Philosophy. The name of the recipient of this award is engraved on a plaque that hangs in the hall outside Sr. Monica Ryan's former office on the fourth floor of Warde Hall. From Professor Carlin Brian received the Sister Siena Davis Theology Award. From Professor Gerry Kreitzer he received the Outstanding Music Student Award. And from President Todd Olson he received the President's Award. Congratulations Brian!

https://www.mtmercy.edu/news-events/news/2026/05/presidents-award

05/07/2026

Brian McGrane is a graduating Mount Mercy senior, and double major in Philosophy and Theology. Tonight he successfully defended his Philosophy thesis titled "MacIntyrean Insights for Higher Education." His research examined how an ethics education based on each of the three rival versions of moral inquiry would intellectually and morally form students studying ethics, and how these implications help us evaluate each of these three paradigms.

04/17/2026

On Thursday, April 16, six Mount Mercy University students, and Profs. Carlin and Cross, attended Dr. Tim Pawl's illuminating lecture on "The Seven Deadly Sins" at Iowa State University. Afterward we got a photograph with him (second from right).

https://thomisticinstitute.org/events/seven-deadly-sins-pawl-isu

04/15/2026

We are so grateful to Dr. Christopher Brown for giving this year's Aquinas Lecture!