蜜桃TV

Brandon Ambrosino 鈥�24 PhD has worn many hats鈥攋ournalist, dancer, writer. So, when it came time to select a university for his doctoral studies, he knew he needed a school that would challenge him to use all his talents. Villanova stood out as the clear choice.

鈥淲hat separates Villanova is that it really wants students to be their full selves,鈥� Ambrosino said. 鈥淭hey welcomed my quirkiness, my uniqueness. You don鈥檛 have to give up the flair that makes you who you are.鈥�

In September, Ambrosino released his debut book, Is It God's Will?: Making Sense of Tragedy, Luck, and Hope in a World Gone Wrong. The path to publication came with challenges, but he was determined to complete it, and for good reason.

鈥淭he book is an extended reflection on our relationship with God in the face of devastating tragedy,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y goal was to write something that would bring theology to non-theologians.鈥�

Ambrosino expressed deep pride in his book and in the opportunity to engage theology in the public sphere, especially for those without formal academic backgrounds in the subject.

鈥淚 wanted to write a book my parents could read,鈥� Ambrosino said. 鈥淭heologians have a habit of not engaging non-theologians, so I'm reminding everybody that all of us are theologians.鈥�

Throughout his PhD journey, Ambrosino built meaningful connections with the program鈥檚 faculty鈥攂onds made evident by the members of his dissertation board.

鈥淓very one of them contributed something different to what I was doing,鈥� Ambrosino said. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e all been important in forming who I am theologically, professionally and personally.鈥�

Now Villanova is not just where Ambrosino earned his degree, it's where he passes on knowledge to the next generation of students as a visiting professor in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies. 

鈥淭he students here are incredible,鈥� Ambrosino said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a challenge to build bridges between each one in such a short time, but I鈥檓 helping them discover ways to apply what we鈥檙e doing in class to the real world.鈥�

Ambrosino continues to speak highly of the theology program, having journeyed through it as a doctoral student and now as an instructor helping to guide its future.

鈥淭he PhD program has formed me,鈥� Ambrosino said. 鈥淪t. Irenaeus said, 鈥楾he glory of God is a human being fully alive.鈥� I feel like the PhD program has helped me become more and more fully alive.鈥�