Jesuit honored for prolific writing, research in field of philosophy

Aquinas Medal is American Catholic Philosophical Association’s highest honor

MILWAUKEE – The American Catholic Philosophical Association awarded its highest honor to Rev. Roland Teske, S.J., professor emeritus of philosophy at Marquette University, for his scholarly achievement in the field and his dedication to teaching.

Teske received the 2009 Aquinas Medal, which is given each year to an individual who has made significant contributions to American philosophical thought. During his career Teske published more than 30 books and some 125 scholarly articles and book chapters. His writings have included numerous translations—many for the first time into English or any modern language—of Latin or German works, from Augustine to Rahner.

Teske started his teaching career at Marquette in 1970 and has held positions at St. Louis University, Santa Clara University, John Carroll University and Villanova University. In 2002 he was awarded the Donald J. Schuenke Chair in Philosophy, Marquette’s first endowed chair in philosophy. The following year he received the university’s Haggerty Award for Research Excellence.

“The Aquinas Medal is a well deserved recognition,” said Dr. David Twetten, associate professor of philosophy. “Father Teske is one of the foremost experts in our time on Augustine’s philosophy and on the Augustine heritage in the history of Christian philosophy. Yet, he has never advertised his achievements, and many of his students and peers know him only as a kind, humble and unassuming person.”

“As a prolific researcher and writer, Father Teske continues to contribute to the field of philosophy, and Marquette University and the Department of Philosophy have benefitted greatly by his service,” added Dr. James South, associate professor and chair of the philosophy department.

The ACPA awarded the medal to Teske at their annual meeting in November. Previous honorees have included Jacques Maritain and Bernard Lonergan.