Dr. Chris Decaen
Profile -- (Winter 1999-2000 Newsletter)
Chris Decaen, Ph.D., joined the faculty of Thomas Aquinas
College this year, having graduated from the College in 1993.
The return has been full-circle to the native of nearby Ventura,
California, and one he didn't expect.
Decaen was born and raised in Ventura and was planning to
study painting and fine arts upon his graduation from public
high school. His father, however, had befriended former College
chaplain Fr. Gerard Steckler, S.J., and urged him to try the
College out. With some reluctance Decaen did, planning to
attend only for a year and then pursue fine arts elsewhere.
But after his first month of studies, he thought, "Who
cares about fine arts?" His mind had been awakened to
another beauty.
By his senior year, he held a stellar grade point average
and was the only member of his class to "pass with distinction"
due to the high marks he received on his senior thesis. He
also obtained near-perfect marks on his Graduate Record Examination
and decided to pursue graduate studies in philosophy.
After spending a year paying down school loans, he obtained
a full scholarship in the philosophy program at The Catholic
University of America in Washington, D.C. and so enrolled.
Two years later, he obtained his Masters in Philosophy, magna
cum laude, and was honored to participate in the Society of
Aristotelian Studies Summer Program, which happened to have
been hosted back at the College. He then spent the next two
years teaching undergraduate courses at Catholic University,
"Introduction to Modern Philosophy," "Introduction
to Classical Philosophy," and "Epistemology."
In addition, he taught "General Introduction to Philosophy"
and "Logic" at Christendom College in nearby Front
Royal, Virginia.
In December, 1998, he defended his dissertation thesis, "Aristotle
On The Existence Of Ether And The Refutation Of Void - A Critical
Evaluation Of The Arguments," which he passed with distinction.
In the spring of 1999, he was awarded his doctorate in philosophy.
Shortly thereafter, he was appointed to serve as a Tutor at
his alma mater.
"I never thought I'd be back here so soon," he
said. "I've really come to appreciate the seminar method,
rather than the lecture format. Students teach me as much
as I teach them. And it's such a pleasure to have students
who are serious about learning and who recognize that it is
worth doing for its own sake. That level of interest is not
something you find at your average college or university."
It's an added bonus to be back near his family. He is the
second oldest of six children. His brother Ram¢n, who
graduated from the College in 1996, will be ordained a priest
in the Diocese of Lincoln, Nebraska, this spring. In fact,
it's his brother's ordination that has given him the opportunity
to return to his love of painting, as he has painted images
of Saints Thomas Aquinas, Pius X, Maximilian Kolbe, and John
Vianney for his brother's holy cards and ordination announcements.
Last summer was eventful for him for another reason: He got
married. His wife, Rose, is a Vancouver, Washington, native
and a 1996 graduate of Christendom College. When not teaching,
Decaen aims to publish. His article, "Elemental Virtual
Presence in St. Thomas," appears in the current issue
of the The Thomist.
-- Qtrly Newsletter, Fall 2000
|
