Theresa Monaco named new Interfaith Coordinator

Wilkes University's Student Development Office has announced that Theresa Monaco, former religion teacher in New York, has been hired as the new Interfaith Coordinator for campus.

After a lengthy selection process, the Diocese of Scranton made the offer to Monaco. Though Wilkes is an independent institution, The Scranton Diocese funds the Interfaith Coordinator position and therefore runs the search. According to Philip Ruthkosky, the Associate Dean of Student Development, Wilkes will provide Monaco with an office and living accommodations.

According to Monaco, after spending eight years at the high school level first working in the library and then as a teacher, she decided that she wanted to interact with a more mature group. She also wanted to become more involved exploring multiple faiths, rather than only the Catholic religion. She checked out the Wilkes website several times and chose to apply for the position.

"She's going to offer an office that is very conducive to students feeling free to just wander in and have candid conversations about faith, values, morals, whatever is on their mind," stated Ruthkosky, after meeting with Monaco. "She will be another trustworthy mentor where students can go in and really have these open conversations," he added.

"[Monaco] has a really diverse background in various different fields where she's done this kind of thing before and I think that will be a real benefit coming to the college," said Gabrielle Lamb, the Student Development Coordinator. "I expect that she'll put together a nice offering of programs to support the interfaith initiative on campus," she added.

"I feel that God is already working in the lives of the students and I want to encourage that development," stated Monaco.

She explained that in its mission statement Wilkes highlights the "constantly changing world" that we live in and the need for continuing learning so the students can survive in it.

"I see that the spirituality aspect, a relationship with God, to be the piece that helps you manage the constantly changing world. Without that firm foundation, it becomes more difficult," she said.

Andy Curry, a senior mechanical engineering major and co-president of Christian Fellowship Club, is eager to begin working with Monaco. He has been involved since "God started CFC in February of 2006." He explained that the previous Interfaith Coordinator, Angela Hermes, was a very active co-advisor for the group and anticipates the new coordinator to be similarly active.

"We are excited to become involved with the new coordinator, Theresa, in establishing a respectful relationship between the Christian Fellowship Club and Interfaith…though we strongly differ from the doctrine of interfaith as a whole," stated Curry.

Curry also said that, "Much like she would expect from us, we expect Theresa to be supportive of pointing students to seek a life of purpose. Also, we expect her to be respectful of the student ministry emphasis on Christian Fellowship Club, but at the same time willing to offer fellowship and support."

Ann Hofmann, a sophomore pharmacy student, is also looking forward to speaking with the new Interfaith Coordinator. She feels that the previous coordinator was very good at answering questions and helped her explore the different churches in the area.

"I want her to somehow be involved in CFC and at least be able to make us aware of what is happening in the community [involving Christianity]," Hofmann stated.

"I want to be a vessel for information about religion," Monaco said. Students should be aware of her as a resource for finding out what is available in the area in reference to faith and religion, such as the locations of faithbased institutions and their schedules.

Monaco said that she is very excited to be a part of what is going on here at Wilkes and to meet new people. Her main focus now is "trying to see what it is that the students at Wilkes see as the need [in respect to their faiths]."

Monaco is also excited about the community service programs she will be involved in. She has always wanted to have mission trips and believes that when people do community service "we get back more than we give."

Lamb said that she is happy to have a new member on the Student Development team, "Having an Interfaith Coordinator here just fits really nicely into the whole puzzle that is Student Development."