Our History
A Legacy from 1926
Since 1926, scholars and thinkers, mostly based in Canada and the United States, have forged a unique tradition and community known as the “American Catholic Philosophical Association.” Steeped in classical sources and cultivating the Catholic Philosophical heritage, this tradition is known for creative engagement with major philosophers of every era and bold responses to the themes and issues of contemporary philosophy.
Our Executive Council
OFFICERS
- President – Mary Catherine Sommers, University of St. Thomas (TX)
- Vice President – David Schindler, The Catholic University of America
- Secretary – Domenic D’Ettore, University of St. Thomas, TX
- Treasurer – David Squires, University of St. Thomas, TX
COUNCIL
3rd Year Council Members
- Anthony Crifasi, Benedictine College
- Turner Nevitt, University of San Diego
- Alexander Pruss, Baylor University
- Fr. James Dominic Rooney, OP, Hong Kong Baptist University
- Mark Spencer, University of St. Thomas, MN
2nd Year Council Members
- Christopher Blum, Augustine Institute
- Domenic D’Ettore, University of St. Thomas, TX
- Heidi Giebel, University of St. Thomas, MN
- Fr. Daniel Moloney, St. John Vianney Theological Seminary
- Fr. Philip-Neri Reese, OP, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas
- Fr. Cajetan Cuddy, OP, Dominican House of Studies, Washington, DC
- Fr. Christopher Cullen, SJ, Fordham University
- Sr. Elinor Gardner, OP, University of Dallas
- Fr. Anthony Giampietro, CSB, St. Anselm’s Anney School
- W. Matthews Grant, University of St. Thomas (MN)
Immediate Past President
- Steven Long, Ave Maria University
OFFICERS
- President – Patrick Lee, Franciscan University of Steubenville, OH
- Vice President – Mary Catherine Sommers, University of St. Thomas, TX
- Secretary – Brian Carl, University of St. Thomas, TX
- Treasurer – David Squires, University of St. Thomas, TX
COUNCIL
3rd Year Council Members
- Michael Gorman, The Catholic University of America
- Robert Koons, University of Texas, Austin
- Katherine Rogers, University of Delaware
- Michael Dougherty, Ohio Dominican University
- Daniel Maher, Assumption University
2nd Year Council Members
- Anthony Crifasi, Benedictine College
- Turner Nevitt, University of San Diego
- Alexander Pruss, Baylor University
- Fr. James Dominic Rooney, OP, Hong Kong Baptist University
- Mark Spencer, University of St. Thomas, MN
- Christopher Blum, Augustine Institute
- Domenic D’Ettore, University of St. Thomas, TX
- Heidi Giebel, University of St. Thomas, MN
- Fr. Daniel Moloney, St. John Vianney Theological Seminary
- Fr. Philip-Neri Reese, OP, Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas
Immediate Past President
- Steven Long, Ave Maria University
OFFICERS
- President – Steven Long, Ava Maria University
- Vice President – Patrick Lee, Franciscan University of Steubenville
- Secretary – Brian Carl, University of St. Thomas, TX
- Treasurer – David Squires, University of St. Thomas, TX
COUNCIL
3rd Year Council Members
- Jason Eberl, Saint Louis University
- Chad Engelland, University of Dallas
- Christopher Kaczor, Loyola Marymount University
- Angela Knobel, University of Dallas
- Catherine Peters, Loyola Marymount University
2nd Year Council Members
- Michael Gorman, The Catholic University of America
- Robert Koons, University of Texas, Austin
- Katherin Rogers, University of Delaware
- Michael Dougherty, Ohio Dominican University
- Daniel Maher, Assumption University
- Anthony Crifasi, Benedictine College
- Turner Nevitt, University of San Diego
- Alexander Pruss, Baylor University
- James Dominic Rooney, OP, Hong Kong Baptist University
- Mark Spencer, University of St. Thomas, MN
Immediate Past President
- Joshua Hochschild, Mount St. Mary’s University, MD
OFFICERS
- President – Joshua Hochschild, Mount St. Mary’s University, MD
- Vice President – Steven Long, Ave Maria University, FL
- Secretary – Brian Carl, University of St. Thomas, TX
- Treasurer – David Squires, University of St. Thomas, TX
COUNCIL
3rd Year Council Members
- Rev. Joseph Koterski, S.J., Fordham University
- Daniel De Haan, University of Oxford
- Timothy Pawl, University of St. Thomas, MN
- D.C. Schindler, The John Paul II Institute for Studies in Marriage and Family
- Jonathan Sanford, University of Dallas, TX
2nd Year Council Members
- Jason Eberl, Saint Louis University, MO
- Chand Engelland, University of Dallas, TX
- Christopher Kaczor, Loyola Marymount University
- Angela Knobel, The Catholic University of America
- Catherine Peters, Loyola Marymount University
- Michael Gorman, The Catholic University of America
- Robert Koons, University of Texas, Austin
- Katherine Rogers, University of Delaware
- Michael Dougherty, Ohio Dominican University
- Daniel Maher, Assumption University
Immediate Past President
- Thomas Cavanaugh, University of San Francisco
OFFICERS
- President – Thomas Cavanaugh, University of San Francisco
- Vice President – Joshua Hochschild, Mount St. Mary’s University, MD
- Secretary – Brian Carl, University of St. Thomas, TX
- Treasurer – Steven Jensen, University of St. Thomas, TX
COUNCIL
3rd Year Council Members
- Marie George, St. John’s University, NY
- Rev. Arthur Madigan, S.J., Boston College
- John McCarthy, The Catholic University of America
- Thomas Osborne Jr., University of St. Thomas, TX
2nd Year Council Members
- Rev. Joseph Koterski, S.J., Fordham University
- Daniel De Haan, University of Oxford
- Timothy Pawl, University of St. Thomas, MN
- D.C. Schindler, The John Paul II Institute for Studies in Marriage and Family
- Jonathan Sanford, University of Dallas, TX
- Jason Eberl, Saint Louis University, MO
- Chad Engelland, University of Dallas
- Christopher Kaczor, Loyola Marymount University
- Angela Knobel, The Catholic University of America
- Catherine Peters, Loyola Marymount University
Immediate Past President
- Jean De Groot, The Catholic University of America
OFFICERS
- President – Jean De Groot, The Catholic University of America
- Vice President – Thomas Cavanaugh, University of San Francisco
- Secretary – Stephen Striby, University of St. Thomas, TX
- Treasurer – Steven Jensen, University of St. Thomas, TX
COUNCIL
3rd Year Council Members
- Thomas Cavanaugh, University of San Francisco
- Karen Chan, St. Patrick’s Seminary & University
- Heidi Giebel, University of St. Thomas, MN
- Michael Pakaluk, Ave Maria University
- Christopher Tollefsen, University of South Carolina
2nd Year Council Members
- George Marie, St. John’s University, MN
- Joshua Hochschild, Mount St. Mary’s University, MD
- Rev. Arthur Madigan, S.J., Boston College
- John McCarthy, The Catholic University of America
- Thomas Osborne, Jr., University of St. Thomas,TX
- Rev. Joseph Koterski, S.J., Fordham University
- Daniel De Haan, University of Oxford
- Timothy Pawl, University of St. Thomas, MN
- D.C. Schindler, The John Paul II Institute for Studies in Marriage and Family
- Jonathan Sanford, University of Dallas
Immediate Past President
- Francis Beckwith, Baylor University
OFFICERS
- President – Francis Beckwith, Baylor University
- Vice President – Jean DeGroot, The Catholic University of America
- Secretary – Oliva Mirela, University of St. Thomas, TX
- Treasurer – Steven Jensen, University of St. Thomas, TX
COUNCIL
3rd Year Council Members
- Catherine Jack Deavel, University of St. Thomas, MN
- Mark Gossiaux, Loyola University of New Orleans
- Michael O’Neill, Providence College
- Eileen Sweeney, Boston College
- Kevin White, The Catholic University of America
2nd Year Council Members
- Thomas Cavanaugh, University of San Francisco
- Karen Chan, St. Patrick’s Seminary and University
- Heidi Giebel, University of St. Thomas, MN
- Michael Pakaluk, Ave Maria University
- Christopher Tollefsen, University of South Carolina
- Marie George, St. John’s University, NY
- Joshua Hochschild, Mount St. Mary’s University, MD
- Rev. Arthur Madigan, S.J., Boston College
- John McCarthy, The Catholic University of America
- Thomas Osborne, Jr., University of St. Thomas, TX
Immediate Past President
- Thomas Hibbs, Baylor University
OFFICERS
- President – Thomas Hibbs, Baylor University
- Vice President – Francis Beckwith, Baylor University
- Secretary – Mirela Oliva, University of St. Thomas, TX
- Treasurer – Steven Jensen, University of St. Thomas, TX
COUNCIL
3rd Year Council Members
- Sarah Byers, Boston College
- Therese Cory, Seattle University
- Gloria Frost, University of St. Thomas, MN
- Grant W. Matthews, University of St. Thomas, MN
- Karen, Stohr, Georgetown University
2nd Year Council Members
- Catherine Jack Deavel, University of St. Thomas, MN
- Mark Gossiaux, Loyola University of New Orleans
- Michael O’Neill, Providence College
- Eileen Sweeney, Boston College
- Kevin White, The Catholic University of America
- Thomas Cavanaugh, University of San Francisco
- Karen Chan, St. Patrick’s Seminary & University
- Heidi Giebel, University of St. Thomas, MN
- Michael Pakaluk, Ave Maria University
- Christopher Tollefsen, University of South Carolina
Immediate Past President
- Kevin Flannery, S.J., Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome
OFFICERS
- President – Kevin Flannery, Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome
- Vice President – Thomas Hibbs, Baylor University
- Secretary – Mirela Oliva, University of St. Thomas, TX
- Treasurer – Steven Jensen, University of St. Thomas, TX
COUNCIL
3rd Year Council Members
- Gregory Doolan, The Catholic University of America
- Jon McGinnis, University of Missouri at St. Louis
- Siobahn Nash-Marshall, Manhattanville College
- Michael Rota, University of St. Thomas, MN
- Jennifer Hart Weed, University of New Brunswick
2nd Year Council Members
- Sarah Byers, Boston College
- Therese Cory, Seattle University
- Gloria Frost, University of St. Thomas, MN
- Grant W. Matthews, University of St. Thomas, MN
- Karen Stohr, Georgetown University
- Catherin Jack Deavel, University of St. Thomas, MN
- Mark Gossiaux, Loyola University of New Orleans
- Michael O’Neill, Providence College
- Eileen Sweeney, Boston College
- Kevin White, The Catholic University of America
Immediate Past President
- Garcia Jorge L.A., Boston College
OFFICERS
- President – Jorge L.A. Garcia, Boston College
- Vice President – Kevin Flannery, Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome
- Secretary – Mirela Oliva, University of St. Thomas, TX
- Treasurer – Steven Jensen, University of St. Thomas, TX
COUNCIL
3rd Year Council Members
- Michael Baur, Fordham University
- Jean DeGroot, The Catholic University of America
- Alexander Eodice, Iona College
- John Greco, St. Louis University
- Theresa Tobin, Marquette University
2nd Year Council Members
- Gregory Doolan, The Catholic University of America
- Jon McGinnis, University of Missouri at St. Louis
- Siobahn Nash-Marshall, Manhattanville College
- Michael Rota, University of St. Thomas, MN
- Jennifer Hart Weed, University of New Brunswick
- Sarah Byers, Boston College
- Therese Cory Seattle University
- Gloria Frost, University of St. Thomas, MN
- W. Matthews Grant, University of St. Thomas, MN
- Karen Stohr, Georgetown Unversity
Immediate Past President
- Daniel Dahlstrom, Boston University
OFFICERS
- President – Daniel Dahlstrom, Boston University
- Vice President – Jorge L.A., Garcia, Boston College
- Secretary – Edward Houser, University of St. Thomas, TX
- Treasurer – Steven Jensen, University of St. Thomas, TX
COUNCIL
3rd Year Council Members
- Joshua Hochschild, Mount St. Mary’s University
- Arthur Madigan, Boston College
- Alice Ramos, St. John’s University
- Janet Smith, Sacred Heart Seminary
- Mary Catherine Sommers, University of St. Thomas, TX
2nd Year Council Members
- Michael Baur, Fordham University
- Jean DeGroot, The Catholic University of America
- Alexander Eodice, Iona College
- John Greco, St. Louis University
- Theresa Tobin, Marquette University
- Doolan Gregory, The Catholic University of America
- Jon McGinnis, University of Missouri at St. Louis
- Siobhn Nash-Marshall, Manhattanville College
- Michael Rota, University of St. Thomas, MN
- Jennifer Hart Weed, University of New Brunswick
Immediate Past President
- John O’Callaghan, University of Notre Dame
OFFICERS
- President – John O’Callaghan, University of Notre Dame
- Vice President – Daniel Dahlstrom, Boston University
- Secretary – Edward Houser, University of St. Thomas, TX
- Treasurer – Steven Jensen, University of St. Thomas, TX
COUNCIL
3rd Year Council Members
- John W. Carlson, Creighton University
- David Foster, Athenaeum of Ohio
- J.L.A. Garcia, Boston College
- Bonnie Kent, University of California, Irvine
- Elizabeth A. Murray, Loyola Marymount University
2nd Year Council Members
- Joshua Hochschild, Mount St. Mary’s University
- Arthur Madigan, Boston College
- Alice Ramos, St. John’s University
- Jane Smith, Sacred Heart Seminary
- Mary Catherine Sommers, University of St. Thomas, TX
- Michael Baur, Fordham University
- Jean DeGroot, The Catholic University of America
- Alexander Eodice, Iona College
- John Greco, St. Louis University
- Theresa Tobin, Marquette University
Immediate Past President
- Richard C. Taylor, Marquette University
1926 – Edward A. Pace 1927 – Edward A. Pace 1928 – Edward A. Pace 1929 – John F. McCormick 1930 – James H. Ryan 1931 – Gerald B. Phelan 1932 – James A. McWilliams 1933 – Charles C. Miltner 1934 – Francis Augustine Walsh 1935 – John O. Riedl 1936 – John J. Toohey 1937 – William T. Dillon 1938 – Ignatius Smith 1939 – William P. O’Connor 1940 – Francis E. McMahon 1941 – Fulton J. Sheen 1942 – Joseph Schabert 1943 1944 1945 – Leo R. Ward 1946 – Anton Pegis 1947 – Joaquin Garcia 1948 – Vernon J. Bourke 1949 1950 – Ernest Kilzer 1951 – Gerard Smith 1952 – Francis X. Meehan 1953 – Elizabeth G. Salmon 1954 – James Collins 1955 – Charles J. O’Neil 1956 – Vincent E. Smith 1957 – George P. Klubertanz 1958 – Allan Wolter | 1959 – Lawrence E. Lynch 1960 – Robert Lechner 1961 – William M. Walton 1962 – Carl W. Grindel 1963 – Donald Gallagher 1964 – James A. Weisheipl 1965 – John A. Oesterle 1966 – Joseph Owens 1967 – Ernan McMuUin 1968 – Robert J. Kreyche 1969 – W. Norris Clarke 1970 – William A. Wallace 1971 – Louis Dupré 1972 – Ralph McInerny 1973 – Gerald Kreyche 1974 – Thomas Langan 1975 – Jude P. Dougherty 1976 – Desmond J. FitzGerald 1977 – Mary T. Clark 1978 – Kenneth L. Schmitz 1979 – Armand A. Maurer 1980 – Henry B. Veatch 1981 – Leo Sweeney 1982 – John T. Noonan 1983 – Marc Griesbach 1984 – Germain Grisez 1985 – Cornelius F. Delaney 1986 – Francis J. Lescoe 1987 – John F. Wippel 1988 – John D. Caputo 1989 – Joseph Boyle 1990 – Gerald A. McCool 1991 – Frederick J. Crosson | 1992 – Mary F. Rousseau 1993 – Lawrence Dewan 1994 – Thomas R. Flynn 1995 – Robert E. Wood 1996 – Thomas C. Anderson 1997 – Linda Zagzebski 1998 – Jorge J. E. Gracia 1999 – Thomas A. Russman 2000 – Eleonore Stump 2001 – James F. Ross 2002 – Patrick L. Bourgeois 2003 – David B. Burrell 2004 – Nicholas Rescher 2005 – James L. Marsh 2006 – Anthony J. Lisska 2007 – Timothy B. Noone 2008 – William Desmond 2009 – Mary Beth Ingham 2010 – Therese-Anne Druart 2011- Dominic Balestra 2012 – Richard Taylor 2013 – John O’Callaghan 2014 – Daniel Dahlstrom 2015 – Jorge L.A. Garcia 2016 – Kevin Flannery, S.J. 2017 – Thomas Hibbs 2018 – Francis Beckwith 2019 – Jean De Groot 2020 – Thomas Cavanaugh 2021 – Joshua Hochschild 2022 – Steven Long 2023 – Patrick Lee 2024 – Mary Catherine Sommers |
Awards & Medals
At the 1949 meeting of the American Catholic Philosophical Association in Boston, the Executive Council voted to give the Association’s first Aquinas Medal (then called the Cardinal Spellman-Aquinas Medal) to Jacques Maritain of Princeton University. The Medal was to be presented at the 1950 meeting in St. Paul, Minnesota, but Maritain was unable to attend that meeting. As a result, the awarding of the Medal was postponed until the 1951 meeting in New York City. Also at the 1951 meeting, the Executive Council voted to give the second Aquinas Medal to Etienne Gilson. Gilson received the Aquinas Medal at the 1952 Annual Meeting in Cleveland. At the Cleveland Meeting, the Executive Council also voted not to award an Aquinas Medal in 1953. At the Annual Meeting of 1953 in Notre Dame, the Executive Council articulated the following standards for future Aquinas Medalists:
“Outstanding teaching; personal publications of permanent and scholarly value; influence upon American philosophical thought without reference to membership in the American Catholic Philosophical Association.”
Former recipients are ineligible.
The award must not be given to a less-than-worthy recipient, but a serious effort will be made each year to find a worthy one.
The recipient should be well known through his or her writings to members of the ACPA, and should be recognized as having contributed significantly to the development of philosophy in the Catholic tradition.
The recipient should be an outstanding teacher.
Those selecting the recipient will apply these criteria each according to his or her own judgment, since it is not possible to find an automatic way of making a decision. Of course, discussion should precede the choice.
Long-standing membership in the ACPA shall count as a favorable factor in assessing nominees, but ACPA membership is not required.
The vote of the ACPA Executive Council shall be by secret ballot. An absolute majority of votes will be required, with the person on the preceding balling obtaining the fewest votes being dropped from the next ballot until such a majority is reached.
The names of the nominees, and the supporting documentation, should be submitted to the members of the executive council at least two weeks in advance of the meeting at which the nominees are to be voted on, along with a copy of these rules.
Past Aquinas Medal Recipients
In 2006 at the annual meetings of the ACPA held in Granville, Ohio, the Executive Committee and the Executive Council of the ACPA established the St. Catherine of Sienna Distinguished Service Award. This is an occasional award presented to an ACPA member who has demonstrated extraordinary service and commitment to the mission and work of the ACPA.
Anthony Lisska as 2006 president and Tim Noone as 2007 president-elect presented the motion establishing this award to both the Executive Committee and the Executive Council.
Michael Baur of Fordham University, the 2006 out-going secretary, was selected as the first recipient of the newly instituted St. Catherine of Sienna Distinguished Service Award.
The award is signified by a plaque given to the recipient and a lifetime membership to the association. The Officers of the Association recommend possible recipients to the Executive Council.
Past St. Catherine of Sienna Award Recipients
2006 – Michael Baur
2020- Steven J. Jensen
Each year, the ACPA awards the Karen Chan Young Scholar Award to a scholar age 35 or under. The award is given to the young scholar whose paper is selected by the Program Committee as the most excellent among contributed papers for the Annual Meeting.
The Executive Council renamed the Young Scholar Award in 2019 in memory and honor of Karen Chan (1982-2019).
Contact Us
Membership Services
ACPA membership services are handled by the Philosophy Documentation Center. Inquiries regarding membership – including membership status, changes of address (or other contact information), and status of ACPQ or ACPA Proceedings subscriptions – should be directed to the PDC at:
Philosophy Documentation Center
P. O. Box 7147
Charlottesville, VA 22906-7147 – USA
Tel. (800) 444-2419 (US & Canada)
Tel. (434) 220-3300
Fax: (434) 220-3301
[email protected]
www.pdcnet.org
The National Office
ACPA National Office
Center for Thomistic Studies,
University of St. Thomas
3800 Montrose Blvd., Houston, TX 77006
Phone: (713) 942-3483
