91ÇÑ×Ó

Mark Alfino, Ph.D.
Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus
Email: alfino@gonzaga.edu

Pat Burke, Ph.D.
Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus

In Memoriam
For more than 25 years, Dr. Burke taught philosophy for 91ÇÑ×Ó, primarily at the Florence campus he has called home since 1989. A scholar of Continental thought—especially the works of Merleau-Ponty, Levinas and Schelling—he brought intellectual rigor and personal generosity to every classroom. His courses on ethics, existentialism, Christian morality and Renaissance philosophy invited students to engage deeply with ideas, with beauty and with one another.

Dr. Burke also served as Dean of 91ÇÑ×Ó-in-Florence during a pivotal era, guiding the program with academic excellence, cultural immersion and enduring love for the city. Thousands of “Gonzaghini,” as alumni of the program are known, cite his influence as transformative to their formation and worldview. His leadership advanced 91ÇÑ×Ó’s global mission and embodied the Jesuit ideal of cura personalis—care for the whole person.

An internationally respected scholar, Dr. Burke co-edited The Barbarian Principle and Merleau-Ponty in Contemporary Perspective, contributing meaningfully to global philosophical conversations. Yet it was in the everyday moments—welcoming students, lecturing under frescoes, or walking the Arno in quiet reflection—where his vocation came most fully to life. Raised in Montana in a large family, he was formed early by a family defined by mutual care and lifelong connection.

Brian Clayton, Ph.D.
Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus
Email: claytonb@gonzaga.edu

In his teaching, Dr. Clayton hoped to challenge students to live examined lives committed to the pursuit of the Good, the True, and the Beautiful. This was his aim no matter the course he taught or the career his students were pursuing. Philosophy is a way of life aimed at these things. In pursuit of these goals, Dr. Clayton found literature and film (particularly popular film) to be ways of exploring what it is to live a good human life as a “sovereign wayfarer” (Walker Percy). He also loves soccer, American football, basketball, and NASCAR.

Quanhua Liu, Ph.D.
Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus
Email: liu@gonzaga.edu

Rose Mary Volbrecht, Ph.D.
Professor of Philosophy, Emerita
Email: volbrecht@gonzaga.edu

Dr. Volbrecht taught Ethics, Health Care Ethics, and Feminist Ethics. She sees philosophy is a practice of critical reflection and dialogue that helps us to become better people and engaged citizens. Engaging with practicing healthcare professionals has been essential to Dr. Volbrecht’s expertise in Health Care Ethics. She served on the Providence Health Urban Ethics Committee and on the advisory board for the Providence Clinical Pastoral Education program. Prentice Hall published her text, Nursing Ethics: Communities in Dialogue. Dr. Volbrecht was a founding mother of the Women and Gender Studies Program.

John Wagner, Ph.D.
Professor of Philosophy, Emeritus
Email: wagner@gonzaga.edu

Areas of expertise/interest: Medieval philosophy Metaphysics Chinese philosophy