President Peter Kilpatrick announced today that Professor Joseph E. Capizzi will be the acting Dean of The Catholic University of America’s School of Theology and Religious Studies (STRS), pending final approval from the Holy See on his four-year appointment as Dean. Capizzi, the outgoing executive director of the Institute for Human Ecology (IHE), will take up his duties on July 1.
Capizzi earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia, a master's degree in theological studies from The Candler School of Theology at Emory University, and a master’s degree and doctoral degree in moral theology from the University of Notre Dame.
“Professor Capizzi is a man of absolute integrity who will continue his dedication to the University and the Church in this new role,” said President Kilpatrick. “Throughout his time at the University, Professor Capizzi has achieved notable successes in multiple positions. Most importantly, he is someone who pursues academic excellence and who is deeply committed to our Catholic identity and faith. I look forward to working with him to advance the mission of the University and the School of Theology and Religious Studies.”
Capizzi has spent over 25 years at Catholic University, during which time he served as area director for moral theology and associate dean of graduate studies in STRS. In the spring of 2016, he was appointed the executive director of the IHE and over the past seven years helped build it into one of the leading centers of Catholic thought in the United States.
“During my time in STRS, I have studied with and worked among some of the best scholars and students of our Catholic theological tradition. To serve them now as Dean is both the greatest honor and the greatest challenge of my career,” Capizzi said. “I’m excited to work with these colleagues as together we seek to advance Catholic University’s mission in pursuit of academic excellence and service to the Church. In addition, it’s a particular honor to be succeeding Father Mark Morozowich in this role. Father Mark served STRS and Catholic University in every capacity asked of him. I will try to build on the achievements of his many years of service as Dean of STRS. He has set us up to pursue and achieve the goal of being the best school of theology in the United States.”
The history of STRS traces back to the founding of the University and formation of the School of Sacred Sciences in 1889. In 1937, the original School of Sacred Sciences was later divided into a School of Sacred Theology and a School of Philosophy. The mission of Catholic University and the STRS is forming the next generation of theologians and pastoral leaders. Its world-class faculty prepare students of all backgrounds for religious, academic, and professional careers — bringing the practice of faith and reason into all that they do.
Capizzi was born in New York, grew up in New Hampshire, and lives with his wife and children in the Maryland suburbs.