History of the Center

 
_{Father Edward B. Brueggeman, S.J. MA, STL, STD, Professor of Theology, at center, at the the National Conference of Christians & Jews, undated. Photograph from University Archives and Special Collections, Xavier University Library}

 

A Center Focused on Convening for the Common Good

From the beginning of his presidency, Fr. Michael J. Graham, SJ (President from 2001 to 2021) made connecting the Xavier community to the greater Cincinnati community a foundational part of the University’s mission. That commitment found expression in the vision and in the work of the Edward B. Brueggeman Center for Dialogue over the past several decades. 

One of the most important but often overlooked powers of a university is its ability to convene. To bring people together to explore and to work for a common good. It was clear from the outset that interfaith dialogue and engagement would be one of foundations of the Brueggeman Center's work, thus it was an easy choice to name the Center after Fr. Brueggeman. 

The Center was named for Edward B. Brueggeman, SJ, who was a professor at Xavier. Father Brueggeman was not only a brilliant and inspiring teacher but was an early pioneer in interfaith dialogue. For many years he hosted a local TV show entitled "Dialogue" which was, if not the first, one of the first TV shows featuring interfaith dialogue in the United States. 

A full-color flip book with a record of the Center's activities from 2002-2021 can be viewed here.