Living Against the Grain Author Talk Set for Sept. 21

The University of Scranton will welcome award-winning author and Boston College professor Timothy Muldoon, Ph.D., to speak on his book, “Living Against the Grain: How to Make Decisions that Lead to an Authentic Life” at the 2023 Ignatian Values in Action Lecture on Thursday, Sept. 21. The event, which is offered free of charge and open to the public, will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Byron Recreation Complex on campus.

Dr. Muldoon’s book explores the complex challenges young people face in light of popular culture and social media, and the constant messaging they are confronted with about how they should be living their lives. While influencers attempt to drive decision making on everything from what clothes to wear to what kind of relationships to have, from which jobs to pursue and how to spend their leisure time, Dr. Muldoon suggests that what is trending is often unfulfilling.

“By discerning our deepest desires, we discover our truest selves,” Dr. Muldoon writes.

“Living Against the Grain: How to Make Decisions that Lead to an Authentic Life” was a finalist for the 2019 Best Book Award Religion: Christianity, and was a second place selection for the 2018 Catholic Press Association Book Awards for Children’s Books and Books for Teens.

Dr. Muldoon is a professor of philosophy and theology at Boston College and the author of more than 10 books and publications. His focus is largely on “reversing cultural decline; and the history and practice of Christian spirituality, particularly in the Ignatian tradition,” according to his biography on the college’s website.

The Ignatian Values in Action Lecture series is meant to introduce students, and the larger community, to the mission and core values of the University. Since 2012, the annual event has invited individuals to speak on topics related to the tradition of meaningful service inspired by Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits. 

This year’s lecture is paired with the University’s “Royal Reads” program, which encourages all incoming students to read a designated book – in this case, “Living Against the Grain” – before arriving on campus and attending the corresponding talk. The program creates a shared experience among the students and exposes them to the Ignatian values the University was founded on. Throughout their first-year students will encounter themes of the “Royals Read” selection repeated in classes, extracurricular opportunities and other special events.

First Year Seminar students are required to attend the Ignatian Values in Action lecture. Students will swipe their ID cards at entrance stations to be counted in attendance.