Paul Connell

Paul Connell serves as a Fellow and Academic Director of the Rome Program at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts. He is also affiliated with Ave Maria University and Aquinas College, mentoring their students in Rome. His work emphasizes experiential learning, inspired by St. Philip Neri and the Dominican theologian A.G. Sertillanges, prioritizing dialogue and engagement with diverse perspectives.

Education:

• Thomas More College of Liberal Arts: Studied under Dr. Louise Cowan, who shaped his understanding of poetry's truth.
• Louisiana State University: Completed his dissertation under Dr. Bainard Cowan, refining his scholarly skills.

Research Interests: Dr. Connell’s academic focus revolves around Virgil, Dante, and Shakespeare, alongside broader themes in classical and Renaissance literature. He explores the intersection of poetry, philosophy, and cultural theology, drawing from the insights of Romano Guardini, a theologian whose analysis of 20th-century religious and cultural shifts guides his intellectual inquiries.

Labs/Teams: He leads the Rome Program, an academic initiative that immerses students in the cultural and literary heritage of Rome through interdisciplinary study and experiential learning.