Crucifixes from Around the World

Mark Roche, Rev. Edmund Joyce, C.S.C. Professor of German Language and Literature, Concurrent Professor of Philosophy, University of Notre Dame

March Roche is the Rev. Edmund P. Joyce, C.S.C., Professor of German Language and Literature and Concurrent Professor of Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame. His interest in literature and philosophy began as undergraduate at Williams College, where he played water polo, majored in the History of Ideas, juggled in the band, and wrote a senior thesis on the poet Friedrich Hölderlin. After weighing Clown College versus a fellowship to Germany, Roche opted for the latter, earning a graduate degree with a thesis on the great humorist Hegel. Roche then pursued a path that combined the neighboring fields of German literature and philosophy. While teaching at Ohio State for 12 years, Roche regularly taught film and, despite being a German professor, occasionally taught comedy. During his 11 years as Dean of Arts and Letters at Notre Dame, where he juggled many obligations, he added higher education as a fourth area of teaching and scholarship.

Rev. Austin I. Collins, C.S.C. ’77, Vice President for Mission Engagement and Church Affairs, University of Notre Dame

Rev. Austin I. Collins, C.S.C. ’77, serves as Vice President for Mission Engagement and Church Affairs, a position he was appointed to in June, 2021. As Vice President for Mission Engagement and Church Affairs, Father Collins works to steward and deepen Notre Dame’s Catholic and Holy Cross mission and serves as the University’s liaison to the Congregation of Holy Cross, U.S. bishops and the Holy See. He also oversees the Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem and provides critical leadership for the University’s ecumenical and interfaith outreach. Other responsibilities include leadership of the Notre Dame-Newman Centre for Faith and Reason in Dublin and the Grotto Network, a University initiative that contributes to the Church’s mission to evangelize young Catholic adults.