College of Arts and Sciences Newsroom

By Dave Larsen

University of Dayton theologian and alumnus Timothy Gabrielli was honored with the Monika Hellwig Award for Excellence in Teaching from the College Theology Society.

Gabrielli, associate professor and Gudorf Chair in Catholic Intellectual Traditions, received the award in June at the society’s 70th annual convention at Regis University in Denver. He is the ninth recipient of the Hellwig Award, which recognizes outstanding performance as a classroom teacher and the development of innovative and effective teaching methods, courses and curricular materials.

Collectively, this year’s nominees embody the dimensions of the late Monika Hellwig — a Georgetown University professor who is considered one of the most influential theologians in America — as a scholar, mentor, theologian and prayerful disciple, said Kathryn Lilla Cox in her award ceremony remarks.

“The committee found that this year’s awardee embodied the various strengths of each nominee, pulled together into one dynamic approach to teaching, educating and learning theology,” said Cox, a research associate in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of San Diego.

Gabrielli, who holds a doctoral degree in theology and a master’s in theological studies from the University of Dayton, was lauded for his passion and enthusiasm, and engaging, attentive teaching. He joined the UD faculty in 2019.

Emily Lawrence, who is pursuing a master’s degree in theological studies in the UD Department of Religious Studies, was one of several students and faculty who recommended Gabrielli for the award. She has studied under Gabrielli at UD and as an undergraduate student at Seton Hill University, where Gabrielli taught for six years.

Lawrence said the three salient elements of Gabrielli’s teaching are his attentiveness to the whole student, his care for the interplay between the academic and pastoral dimensions of theology, and his constructive feedback on students’ work.

“Dr. Gabrielli has a talent for identifying what a student does well and what next steps would foster their growth,” she said in her recommendation letter. “More than once at Seton Hill, I rewrote entire papers for his classes because of single comments that helped me completely reframe arguments that I was trying to make. His constructive feedback has continued to be invaluable as I now work on my master’s thesis.”

Gabrielli credits his success to a UD Department of Religious Studies program for graduate students who are preparing to start teaching. He participated in the teacher formation group as a student and now leads it as a faculty member.

“I first learned how to be a teacher here at UD in our programs when I was a graduate student,” he said. “Now I have the great privilege of being able to pass that on to this generation of graduate students. I think that’s a really cool thing.”

Gabrielli said he enjoys the role of teacher-scholar. While he relishes research and writing, he is not the type of scholar whose goal is to minimize the teaching aspect of professorship.

“Interacting with students gives me fuel,” he said. “Not only does it energize me, it also informs my research.”

Currently, Gabrielli is working on a book about religious education and the intersection of faith and doubt. It was inspired by classroom interactions with students who voiced struggles, doubts or difficulties with their faith.

His previous books include Confirmation: How a Sacrament of God’s Grace Became All About Us and One in Christ: Virgil Michel, Louis Chauvet, and Mystical Body Theology.

As Gudorf Chair in Catholic Intellectual Traditions, Gabrielli sponsors the Fr. Jack McGrath, S.M., Award for Research in Catholic Intellectual Traditions. The award recognizes students whose research in a UD Common Academic Program course demonstrates rigorous, deep and creative engagement with thinkers, texts and/or themes associated with Catholic Intellectual Traditions.

He also sponsors Wayfinders, a summer program that brings high school students to the University of Dayton campus for four days to introduce them to Catholic Intellectual Tradition and UD’s Marianist tradition. Participants earn one college credit at UD.

The College Theology Society is a professional association of college and university professors. Founded in 1954 as a Roman Catholic organization of lay and religious teachers of undergraduate theology, the society today has more than 500 members in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

The University of Dayton will host the society’s 71st annual convention May 29 to June 1, 2025. It will be the society’s first meeting in Dayton since 2007.

“The University of Dayton is well-represented in the College Theology Society,” Gabrielli said. “At this year’s convention, several of our graduate students and faculty presented papers and several others convened sessions.

“The CTS unites rigorous scholarship and critical reflection on teaching with a welcoming environment. It’s one-of-a-kind. UD’s presence there speaks to the national significance of our department and our programs. We look forward to hosting the 2025 convention.”