Alpha Sigma Nu Students Name Teacher of the Year
University of Scranton President Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., congratulates Christian S. Krokus, Ph.D., professor of theology and religious studies, on receiving the 2023 Gannon Award for Teaching. University student members of Alpha Sigma Nu, the national honor society for students in Jesuit colleges and universities, select the professor to be honored.Christian S. Krokus, Ph.D., professor of theology/religious studies at The University of Scranton, was named the 2023 Alpha Sigma Nu Teacher of the Year.
The award, formally known as the Gannon Award for Teaching in honor of Edward Gannon, S.J., is the oldest teaching award at the University. Established in 1969 by the University’s chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu, the national honor society for students in Jesuit colleges and universities, the award recognizes outstanding teaching among faculty. Student members of Alpha Sigma Nu select the professor to be honored.
Dr. Krokus has published multiple articles in academic journals, and has presented at more than a dozen conferences. His areas of research interest include Christian-Muslim comparative theology; Islamic mysticism; Salesian, Ignatian and Carmelite Spiritualities; Louis Massignon; Bernard Lonergan, S.J.; and Francis de Sales. His book, “The Theology of Louis Massignon: Islam, Christ, and the Church,” was published by The Catholic University of America Press in 2017.
Dr. Krokus was the featured speaker at the 2019 McNulty Lecture at Niagara University’s Castellani Art Museum, and was among the esteemed presenters at the 2022 Islamic Studies Association, Delhi and the Jesuit Secretariat for Service of Faith in South Asia webinar series to celebrate Human Fraternity Day.
In addition, he coordinates the annual meeting for Jesuits and faculty members at Jesuit universities who work on interreligious dialogue.
Dr. Krokus, who joined the faculty at Scranton in 2009, received the University’s Intersession Research Grant, Diversity Initiatives Grant and Education for Justice Grant. He was also awarded the Carnegie Corporation Grant for Teaching about Islam and Middle Eastern Culture, the Ernest Fortin Memorial Research Grant at Boston College and the Badley Fellowship from Institute of Medieval Philosophy and Theology at Boston College.
Dr. Krokus earned his bachelor’s degree from Lafayette College and his master’s degree, with distinction, and his Ph.D. from Boston College.
The Scranton chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu was founded in 1943 and is the oldest honor society at the University. Juniors, seniors and graduate students at the University who have distinguished themselves in scholarship, loyalty and service are eligible for membership.
