Vincentian Chair of Social Justice 2025–26: Catholic Intellectual Tradition and the University

The St. John’s University community is invited to attend the fifth lecture in the 2025–26 Vincentian Chair of Social Justice Lecture Series on Thursday, March 26, from 1:50 to 3:15 p.m. in the Belson Moot Court Room (2-13) in the School of Law. Vincent D. Rougeau, J.D., the 33rd President of the College of the Holy Cross and the college’s first lay and first Black president, will lecture on “The Virtue of Justice in a Time of Turmoil.” 

Under his leadership, Holy Cross has advanced Aspire, its strategic vision for the future, with an early focus on investing in student, faculty, and staff experience; strengthening shared governance with faculty, administration, and the Board of Trustees; and deepening partnerships across the City of Worcester, MA. 

Mr. Rougeau previously served as dean of the Boston College Law School and the inaugural director of the Forum on Racial Justice in America. As an expert in Catholic social thought, his scholarly work considers the relationships among religious identity, citizenship, and membership in highly mobile and increasingly multicultural democratic societies. His leadership demonstrates his profound dedication to the college’s Jesuit, Catholic mission of building a diverse and respectful community, and educating students toward seeking justice and making a meaningful difference in our world. 

Each year, the Vincentian Chair of Social Justice selects a justice theme with the help of the wider St. John’s community. National and international scholars then contribute to the theme’s exploration. 

This year, the Catholic Intellectual Tradition (CIT), with its 2,000-year history in the origin and expression of human and Christian development, is providing the theme. Across all fields of culture and education, it has contributed to the values and voices of believing participants. From liberal arts to modern science, the CIT engages in the affirmation of human dignity and the search for truth. Faith and reason are companions on the path of human knowledge that invite people of all traditions to the search for the truth that touches us all. 

The talk will be recorded for those unable to join in person. Visit stjohns.edu/VCSJ for more information and to register.