Iowa State University

Inside Iowa State
April 18, 1997

Vidal named to Supple chair

Jaime R. Vidal, director of the Hispanic Ministry Program at the School of Theology of the Pontifical College Josephinum, Columbus, Ohio, has been named the first holder of the Monsignor James Supple Chair of Catholic Studies.

Vidal's appointment to the religious studies program begins in August.

The Supple Chair was established this year with a $1 million endowment created through donations from ISU alumni, Ames residents and the Supple Endowment Fund at St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Ames. Monsignor James Supple founded St. Thomas parish in 1947 and continues to serve the parish today as pastor emeritus. The Supple fund is intended to increase the parish's outreach to students.

A visiting scholar program in Catholic studies will end with the creation of the Supple Chair in Catholic Studies.

At ISU, Vidal will teach courses in Catholic studies and the Latino religious experience. He also will give public lectures on issues related to Catholic studies.

"Jaime Vidal is a highly respected scholar in the areas of Catholic studies and the role of religion in Latino culture," said Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean Elizabeth Hoffman. "Dr. Vidal's appointment as the first holder of the Supple Chair in Catholic Studies is a great honor for Iowa State, and a wonderful tribute to Monsignor James Supple."

Vidal has been an associate professor at the Pontifical College Josephinum since 1994. Previously, he held positions at the Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana; Seton Hall University, South Orange, N.J.; and Hispanic Diaconal Training Program, Archdiocese of New York.

He has done extensive research and writing on St. Francis of Assisi, Franciscan sprirituality and issues related to Catholicism and Latino culture.

Iowa State homepage

Inside Iowa State, inside@iastate.edu, University Relations
Copyright © 1997, Iowa State University, all rights reserved
URL: http://www.iastate.edu/general/Inside/1997/0418/supple.html
Revised 4/17/97