The Department of Religious Studies and Classics is happy to announce the winners of the Lionel Rombach and Ora Bretall Awards for the 2019-2020 academic year. 

Awardees for the Ora Bretall Award are (alphabetical by last name): Crysta Lynn Burks, Sarah Thet Rasner, Sydney Savannah Young.

Awardees for the Lionel Rombach Award are (alphabetical by last name): Samantha Taylor Beben, Cheyenne Monique Hubbard, Zachary A. Panza, Richard Riley.

Congratulations to our outstanding Religious Studies students!

Read (in their words) how majoring in Religious Studies has enriched their lives and studies:

Samantha Taylor Beben:

When I was younger, my grandmother was a heavy influencer in my life and told me that I should be in math or science in order to make money. I forgot every other interest of mine like drawing, religion, and sewing in order to pursue science. I got to college and realized that science wasn’t for me because of the careers I had to choose from so I started going back in time to reignite old interests. Not only this, but in my Religion and Sex class, I realized that studying religion is more than studying what people believe in, it’s studying humanity, society, politics, and psychology. With a Religious Studies degree, I’m able to understand people on a deeper level than if I chose one of those singular degrees.

Zachary A. Panza:

Being a Religious Studies major has been one of the most enriching experiences of my life. In my eyes, it’s a holistic field of study that touches on almost every aspect of life and human history. I chose this area of study after years of independently studying religion throughout middle school and high school. Religious studies is an essential part of understanding not only human history, but the world’s social, cultural, and political landscape in the present.

Sarah Thet Rasner:

When I first started my college education, I didn't know that religious studies was even an option for me. After taking a few religious studies classes for my general education credits, I was hooked. I really enjoy reading and analyzing New Testament literature. The religious studies department at UA has been a great resource for me, I am constantly emailing old professors with questions I find I have when doing research independently. 

Richard Riley:

After about a year into college, picking a major that allowed me to exercise my truest desires seemed a must. Studying and being religious is one area that has allayed some existential ordeals that circle around one's longing for firm, historically rich connections. Yet besides the larger point, what I did not foresee enjoying was the small community of people I would join who share similar passions for religion and science. I do believe that the philosophical lining within religion can perhaps aid in solving some scientific puzzles, as well as moral and ethical issues in nearly all avenues of our social sphere. The allowance of these expressions has and will continue to add to my meaningful University experience and am highly grateful for being a recipient.

Sydney Savannah Young:

I chose to study religion because I have been passionate about learning about other cultures and religions ever since I took world religions in high school. I had mainly studied Theology and wanted to expand my knowledge of all religions and religious practices. When I learned that religious studies had a ‘health professions’ track I knew this was the right major for me. I have enjoyed so far expanding my knowledge and also getting to know professors and making friends within the major. To me, the academic study of religion is important because I believe it is imperative to be accepting of other cultures and learn how to work with and understand all people.

The Fred and Barbara Borga Award was established in honor of Fred and Barbara Borga through the generosity of their son Ross Schwartzberg. The award supports outstanding undergraduate students at the University of Arizona who are majoring in Religious Studies with a concentration in Religious Studies for Health Professionals.

Religious Studies is thrilled to announce the following winners of the Fred and Barbara Borga Award:

Ashleigh Maykayla Escalante. "Since I was young, I have always been very passionate about the field of psychology and wanting to help people. When I began my journey as an undergraduate, I realized through multiple courses that when I could understand religious backgrounds, I could understand people and I was in a better situation to support them. Studying religion has helped me learn about the world, myself and most importantly those around me."

Alyssa Jean Peterson. "I chose Religious Studies as a major because I believe that much can be understood about culture, people, and beliefs through understanding their religion. In order to be the best medical professional I can be, I need to be able to understand and help people from where they are coming from, and being a Religious Studies major helps me be well-rounded and understand culture and people."

Sydney Savannah Young. "When I learned that religious studies had a ‘health professions’ track I knew this was the right major for me. I believe religious literacy is important and having this knowledge can make a difference, especially in the healthcare field. Knowing a few background facts about someone’s religion or culture can help give empathy and understanding. To me, the academic study of religion is important because I believe it is imperative to be accepting of other cultures and learn how to work with and understand all people. I am thankful for this award because it will allow me to continue my studies."

Dear College of Humanities Students,

Despite the ever-changing challenges posed by the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), the College of Humanities remains focused on two priorities for students: your health and your academic progress toward graduation.

We are making every effort to help you succeed in your academic lives and beyond. Our faculty and staff are working, in coordination with University officials, to minimize any interruptions. Starting Wednesday, March 18, classes will be conducted online. Our priority is to ensure your academic progress is not disrupted and that you will finish the semester and graduate on time—whether that’s this term or in a term to come.

Our incredible advising team is available to support you with all of its usual services, but now in a virtual format. Advising can take place via email, phone, or Zoom—whichever works best for you. Please remember to check Trellis Advise for appointments. The advisors will be in touch soon with more detailed information about how they will be providing support.

If you have had to return suddenly from a Study Abroad program and anticipate any difficulty completing your coursework and earning credit for the semester, please contact Lyn Durán (laduran@email.arizona.edu ) as soon as possible so that she can explore with you how we might be able to help.

Individual faculty members will communicate to their students any necessary information about transitioning to online classes, as well as any updates to their syllabi for the remainder of the semester. This will enable all students to complete their courses and have valuable learning experiences. Fortunately, the College of Humanities is a leader in online learning and many faculty members have pursued innovative ways of teaching to increase student engagement, so we are well-prepared to make this adjustment and will extend additional help to students whenever possible. I am in touch with the COH undergraduate ASUA Senator Grace Sluga and Graduate and Professional Council Representative Jonathan Henao-Muñoz, both of whom will be helpful in communicating important messages between students and College and University leadership.

Any official campus updates will be posted to the University’s Coronavirus Information page. Information related to more specific student concerns is available at the Dean of Students Office and Guidance for Research Students and Postdocs. For other on-campus resources, please see information about University Libraries Changes and Support, the Disability Resource Center, and Housing & Residential Life.

Please follow all prescribed health and safety precautions, including social distancing, to minimize the spread of this disease and keep our campus and community safe. Campus Health remains open should you feel the need to seek medical attention.

We will convey additional information to students as necessary, and we appreciate your patience and flexibility as the College and University move forward through this difficult time.

With best wishes,

Dean Alain-Philippe Durand

P.S. On Monday morning via Facebook, University Provost Liesl Folks and Dean of Students Kendal Washington White presented a live video update to address questions. You can see a recording of this session here.

The link to Dr. Hidalgo's PowerPoint presentation can be found here. 

The Department of Religious Studies and Classics invites you to the 2020 Robert A. Burns Lecture, followed by a Panel Discussion on “Religion and the Arizona Border.” 

The event will take place on Monday, January 27, 2020, 6:00-8:00PM at the University of Arizona Poetry Center (1508 E. Helen Street).

6:00PM – Robert A. Burns Lecture by Professor Jacqueline M. Hidalgo: “The Christian Bible as a Text of Migration”

7:00PM – Panel Discussion: "Religion and the Arizona Border"

Arizona in India

Students have the opportunity to earn 6 units of Religious Studies credit in summer 2020 through the Arizona in India study abroad program, led by Professor Caleb Simmons. Funding is available (see below).

Courses

RELI 323: Women, Goddesses, and Power in Hinduism 

RELI 345: Religion and the Arts in India

Schedule

Classes will be held in-person or via Zoom at the University of Arizona's main campus from June 8 - June 19, followed by three weeks of travel in India from June 22 - July 9.

Scholarships

• The program offers guaranteed scholarships of $1,500 for each committed participant in the Arizona in India program in summer 2020.
• Religious Studies majors (and other SILLC majors) are eligible to apply for the SILLC Global Award. The award amount ranges from $1,500-$2,000.
• Religious Studies majors are eligible to apply for the Donna Swaim International Award for Religious Studies. Several awards of a minimum of $600 are available. 
• Additional funding opportunities are available through UA Global. 

Religious Studies is now accepting applications for the Rombach and Bretall Scholarships from students with a major in Religious Studies OR Religious Studies for Health Professionals (RSHP). The next application deadline is March 18, 2024. 

Awards will be made based on academic achievement, need, and seniority in the Religious Studies Program (the number of courses taken toward completing the major in Religious Studies or Religious Studies for Health Professionals).

Value of Scholarship: $1,000-$2000

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicants must be majoring in Religious Studies OR Religious Studies for Health Professionals (RSHP).
• Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
• NOTE: Students can receive only one Rombach/Bretall Award. Once a student has received a Rombach or Bretall Award, they are ineligible for future Rombach/Bretall Awards. 

Application Instructions:

To apply for this funding, please email the following with the subject line "Rombach/Bretall" to Marcela Thompson (marcelathompson@arizona.edu) by March 18, 2024:

1. Your University of Arizona transcript. It is fine to send an unofficial transcript.
2. A 1-to-2-page letter of application, addressing the following points: 

• Why did you choose to major in Religious Studies or Religious Studies for Health Professionals (RSHP)?
• What has the Religious Studies or RSHP major meant to you? In other words, what impact has the major had on your experience as an undergraduate at the University of Arizona?
• How will this scholarship help you to achieve your goals as a Religious Studies or RSHP major?
• NOTE: At the top of your letter of application, please include the following information: your name, your university email address, your major(s), your expected graduation date, and the Religious Studies courses you will have completed by the end of Spring 2024.

Questions? Contact Prof. Max Strassfeld (mstrassfeld@arizona.edu) 

History of the Lionel Rombach Scholarship

In 1978, Lionel England “Lee” Rombach donated funds to Religious Studies at the University of Arizona for the purpose of supporting upper-level undergraduates pursuing the study of religion. He endowed this scholarship in memory of his parents, Lambert Rombach and Anna England Rombach. For nearly half a century, the Rombach Scholarship has been distributed to Religious Studies majors to help with their educational expenses. Until the end of his life, Lee Rombach enjoyed luncheons each year with recipients of the Rombach Scholarship. Mr. Rombach passed away in 2008, and his legacy continues to benefit Religious Studies majors at the University of Arizona. His obituary can be read here.

History of the Ora Bretall Scholarship

Religious Studies received a generous donation to establish this endowed student scholarship from the estate of Ora Bretall. She was predeceased by her son, Dr. Robert Bretall (1913-1980), who was a faculty member at the University of Arizona from 1949-1976.