Center for Law and Religion Announces New Student Fellows

With the start of the new academic year, the Center for Law and Religion has named its new student fellows for 2014-2015. They are John Boersma ‘15 and Stephanie Cipolla ’16.

Founded in 2010, the Center for Law and Religion engages in the study of law and religion from domestic, international, and comparative perspectives. It hosts academic programs in the United States and abroad in order to examine the role of law in the relationship between religion and the state; explore the concept of law in different religious traditions; and promote St. John's Vincentian mission by encouraging an open dialogue on law and religion in local, national, and international communities.

The fellows are an integral part of the center. In addition to updating its award-winning blog, the Center for Law and Religion Forum, on a daily basis, they work as research assistants for the center’s faculty, help with center publications, and represent the center at public events.

“Our fellows are always among the very best students at the Law School,” explained Professor Mark L. Movsesian, the center’s director. “They come from diverse backgrounds, but share a commitment to studying law and religion. They add so much to our center—we couldn’t do it without them.”

This year’s student fellows continue this tradition of excellence. John Boersma graduated from Ave Maria University with a B.A. in Political Science. As an undergraduate, he spent one semester interning for a cabinet minister in the Canadian government. He is currently enrolled in the joint J.D./M. A. program at St. John’s, pursuing both a J.D. and an M.A. in Government and Politics. He is a senior staff member of the American Bankruptcy Institute Law Review.

Stephanie Cipolla graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Political Science. Before coming to St. John’s, she spent a year working for the CEO of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans. She is a staff member of the St. John’s Law Review.

John and Stephanie are looking forward to the year ahead.“Having studied both politics and theology during my undergraduate education, I’m excited to have been named a fellow for the Center for Law and Religion,” John said, adding: “This fellowship will allow me to further my interests and explore how the fields of politics and theology intersect in a concrete manner.”  

To learn more about the Center for Law and Religion and its programs, please contact Professor Movsesian.