Art Remillard, the former chair of the Franciscan Studies, Theology and Applied Ethics Department and Associate Director of the University’s Honors Program, has been appointed Interim Dean of the School of STEAM.
Remillard succeeds Pete Skoner in leading the School of STEAM.
“At the end of the day, the reason I was drawn to this (position) is because it gives me an opportunity to help people – faculty and students – become the best versions of themselves,” said the 2000 SFU graduate.
Remillard has also served as director of Saint Francis’ Wolf-Kuhn Ethics Institute. He compared his decision to accept the interim dean position to the Biblical story of Jonah and the Whale, a story about having the courage to take the right path.
“Throughout my life, I’ve always had some of that,” said Remillard. “There are these things that life is pulling me toward that I am looking at and saying, ‘no, that is not me’ only to find out that, actually, ‘it is me.’”
Before beginning his undergraduate studies at Saint Francis, Remillard served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1992-96. After graduating from SFU with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, he earned master’s (2002) and doctoral (2006) degrees in religion from Florida State.
“I have worked with Dr. Remillard for over a decade and am extremely grateful to call him my colleague and friend,” said Brennan Thomas, Chair of SFU’s English Department.
“He is exceptional in every facet as an educator, from being a gifted teacher in the classroom to a prolific scholar and campus leader.”
A contributor to multiple academic journals and mainstream publications, Remillard has edited/authored two books and is currently completing another, a religious history of sports in America that will be published by Oxford Press.
The School of STEAM is currently working on a number of large-scale projects, including the completion and opening of the Connors Family Fine Arts Center, the continued development and expansion of the Aviation Program, and several major initiatives within the Engineering Department.
“This is a special place where you can really achieve so much and lay the groundwork for being the best you that you can be,” said Remillard. “We are uniquely positioned to do that.”
Remillard’s colleagues are excited to work with him in his new role as dean.
“I’ve found him to be thoughtful, level-headed, a great listener and someone who brings out the best in those around him,” said Justin Merry, Chair of the Biology Department.
“He comes from the humanities, but he values science and understands how our areas complement each other.”
Remillard began teaching at Saint Francis as an adjunct instructor in 2006.
“There is a lot to be excited about. We do very good work. I cannot tell you how excellent our faculty are,” said Remillard.
