Fall 2009 

Faculty Highlight

Favorite books:
"Crime and Punishment" by Dostoevsky
"The Long Loneliness" by Dorothy Day

Favorite movie:
“Schindler's List”

Areas of interest (work and/or leisure):
I enjoy reading novels, going for walks, going to see a movie or renting movies, traveling and walking my dog.

Favorite Place traveled to:
My favorite place I have traveled to was Italy. I fell in love with the country. One thing I really appreciated about Italy was the way of life and the attitude the people had. It seemed like the way of life was much slower and relaxed; people had more time to enjoy life. I also liked the historical aspect of Italy.

People don’t know that my …
first job was as a tour guide at a Brown Forman bourbon distillery in Louisville. I was a tour guide but also got a chance to work with the chemists and other fields within the distillery. It was my first teaching experience; this was when I realized I loved teaching.

Describe a favorite classroom experience:
One year I entered one of my classes and everyone was sitting there very solemn and serious. One student raised her hand and told me that no one had completed their papers that were due that day in class. I must have seemed very concerned and confused because she almost instantly broke into a smile and the whole class shouted "April Fools!" I did not realize they had been playing an April Fools joke on me. This may sound like a peculiar example of a favorite classroom experience, but I believe this practical joke my class played on me is a display of their comfort level within the class and also in relation to me. I enjoy knowing my students feel safe and comfortable entering my classes and once they are relaxed enough to play a joke (in this instance) on me, I know that we have formed a bond. That bond is very important to me.

What would you most like students to learn from your classes?
A majority of students enter into a general studies class with a negative mindset. I want students to learn that General Education courses can be interesting and worthwhile. I would like to change that negative attitude. For example, theology is a subject in which students can ask anything and question everything in life. I would like my students to see why theology matters in life. Theology teaches important values about forgiveness, loss and disappointment.

What would you most like students to gain through their years at St. Norbert College? 
1- I want students to be able to look back to their years at St. Norbert and realize the community and friendships they have gained, and how important these bonds are and cherish them.
2-This is the only Norbertine college in the world. I want students to appreciate that and find out what it is about the Norbertine aspect that makes this college special.
3- I hope St. Norbert has helped students realize the true values in life that will bring them the ability to live a happy and meaningful life.
4- I hope students find what their obligation to society is.
5- I hope that students find their vocation or calling in life while at SNC. I hope they realize the gifts and talents they have acquired and are ready to apply them to the world.

What book from your classes would you recommend to parents so that they can learn as their student learns and have something to discuss with him or her?
"Night" by Elie Wiesel
"Saint Maybe" by Anne Tyler
"North of Hope" by Jon Hassler

Name:
Paul Wadell

Discipline:
Religious Studies

Hometown: 
Louisville, Kentucky

Academic Credentials: 
B.A., Bellarmine College (English major); M.A., Catholic Theological Union (divinity and theology major); Ph.D., Notre Dame University (theology major).

Fall Semester Classes:
Introduction to Theology, Essentials of Catholic Thought; also heads the Faith, Learning and Vocation Project.