October 25, 2010
Since being named University Provost in 2000, Julia Upton, RSM,
Ph.D., has presided over one of the most exciting periods of
academic growth in St. John's history.
From creating the Institute for
Writing Studies, which hones the communications skills of every
St. John’s student, to bringing Academic Service-Learning
into every aspect of the academic experience, Dr. Upton has led St.
John’s in creating an environment that prepares students for
success as critical thinkers who meet the challenges of today’s
global environment.
Dr. Upton
holds a doctorate in Contemporary Systematic Theology from Fordham
University, Masters Degrees in English and Theology from St. John’s
University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Ohio Dominican
University. Starting as a St. John’s student, becoming a faculty
member and finally serving as an administrator, Dr. Upton witnessed
the inspiring transformation the University has experienced over
that period.
Like many administrators at St. John’s, Dr. Upton stays in touch
with students by continuing to teach. A Professor of Theology and
Religious Studies, she enjoys her time in the classroom, and is
proud of the way St. John’s enlivens with its commitment to
classroom technology. “Today’s students are more visual learners
than my generation was. They’ve been immersed in media their whole
lives. To engage them fully, I must also become immersed in this
world of technology and figure out how I’ll use it to help express
the ideas that I see as eternal truths.”
Dr. Upton looks forward to continuing the University’s academic
initiatives, especially with ensuring universal science literacy.
“Fifty years ago, we were the first to offer a bachelor’s degree in
Toxicology. Now we have a Ph.D. specializing in
Toxicology. I want to continue to offer the best in science
education. Science is the solution to many of the world’s problems
and someone has to do the really basic research. St. John’s is in a
unique position to achieve that — and more.”