Sheffer Fund for Roman Catholic Studies
Paul Sheffer was a Colorado College student who lost his life in an airplane crash in March 1978. The tragedy was compounded by the death of Andrew Reich, a classmate, who was also a passenger in the plane piloted by Paul's uncle. Mary Wynne Sheffer chose to honor her son's life with a gift that will continue to benefit future generations of students. Having earlier donated to the college ministry of the Archdiocese of Denver, she established the Paul Sheffer Memorial Endowment in Paul's memory in 1983, shortly before her death from cancer.
The initial endowment has grown to a fund capable of supporting ambitious research projects and library acquisitions. The portion of the fund administered by the Department of Religion supports Religion faculty and students whose projects are related to their work in the Department. Other student and faculty applicants should apply to the Sheffer Fund Advisory Committee, chaired by the Associate Dean of the Faculty, Mike Siddoway. Information can be found on the Dean's Office webpage.
Applicants for Sheffer grants need not be members of the Catholic Church to apply, but each project must contribute in some way to our understanding of Roman Catholicism.
Application Guidelines
Requirements
- Clear statement of the project, indicating its direct relation to Roman Catholic studies and its relevance to the applicant's educational program and personal development. The proposal should indicate the applicant's relevant academic preparation for the proposed project and a bibliography of research material.
- Detailed budget, listing all costs and all other sources of funding.
- Letter of support for the project from one Colorado College faculty member.
- For internship proposals, a letter from the on-site supervisor.
- Institutional Review Board approval of interview questions, where relevant.
Submissions
Proposals from Religion faculty and students should be submitted as email attachments to Prof. Peter Wright, Chair in Religion, at peter.wright@coloradocollege.edu.
Proposals will be circulated among the Religion faculty for review. The proposal may be returned with suggestions for clarification or refinement. The proposal may be resubmitted after revision. Proposals will be judged on the value of the project as a contribution to Roman Catholic studies, the design of the research or internship, the preparation of the applicant, and the quality of writing.
Recent Student Projects
- Christians, Vikings, and Trolls: A Brief History of Roman Catholicism in Norway
- Veneration of Saints in Italian Villages: Following the Festivals
- Research at Sacre Coeur Hospital in Beirut on service during the Lebanese Civil War
- Reinventing the Catholic Faith: Investigating Ecclesial Base Communities in Post-revolution Nicaragua
- Photographic Essay on Catholic Community and Ancient Churches in Azerbaijan
- La Saleth Festival in South India: A Study of Hindu-Catholic Syncretism
- Research on Catherine of Siena in Italy
- Archives Preservation for Sister of Perpetual Adoration at Mount Saint Francis
- I.D.E.A. Space Exhibition on the St. John's Bible, with lectures and workshops (with Benet Hill Monastery)
- Roman Catholic Patronage in Baroque Ceiling Paintings (Farnese Gallery in Rome)
- Archival study of Los Hermanos Penitentes in New Mexico and Colorado in the late 1600s
- Roman Catholic Epistolary Tradition in France and Spain
- In the Wake of the Water Wars: Catholicism and Socialism in Cochabamba
- Colorado College Symposium on "Religion and Public Life"