Alumni Updates
Alexandria Frisch '00 - After a long time, I am happy to be back in Virginia in a new position as Assistant Professor of Judaic Studies at George Mason University. I credit my undergraduate years under Prof. Marc Raphael as inspiring me to pursue this field of study!
Matthew Duperon '06 - I am an associate professor of Religious Studies at Susquehanna University, a small liberal arts college in Pennsylvania's beautiful Susquehanna Valley. I earned an MA in Asian Studies from Cornell University in 2006 and a PhD in Religious Studies from Brown University in 2013, where W&M RS's own Prof. Tobolowsky was one of my classmates. I study comparative religious ethics, focusing on early Chinese traditions and American Pragmatism. My wife Jennifer (also '03, nee Filanowski) and I have five children.
Deborah Williamson '90 - I've joined the Advancement Team at Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, NY. I'll serve as Major Gifts & Planned Giving Officer. I've been working primarily in the nonprofit sector since graduating from W&M in 1990. Recent roles include Associate Planned Giving Director with Salvation Army's Potomac Division and Executive Director of Southside Health Education Foundation (Petersburg, VA). I earned my J.D. from University of Richmond School of Law in 2001 and M.P.A., with a concentration in Nonprofit Management, from George Mason University in 1997. Home is near Richmond, VA. And I'm sending my daughter off to college next year!!!
Harmeet Kamboj '16 - In December 2021, Harmeet graduated from Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York with a Master’s of Sacred Theology in Religion & Society. Harmeet also earned a Master’s of Arts in Interreligious Engagement back in 2020. They now work full-time at Interfaith Youth Core, the largest interfaith organization in the United States.
William Joyner '84 - After William & Mary, I earned music degrees from the Catholic University of America and the Juilliard School. I made my professional opera debut in 1985. In 2014, I retired from my active opera career and began teaching at the University of North Texas College of Music, where I am now Associate Professor of Vocal Studies. I still keep my hand in the opera game, though! I currently serve as the senior warden at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Denton, TX.
Benjamin Highland '18 - Congratulations to Benjamin for his publication in the New Zealand Journal of Psychology Vol. 48.1, April 2019 (pp. 122-132). Benjamin’s article deals with attitudes to religion and Islam. He presented it in Sweden, and the article was used in implementing religious policy in New Zealand where Ben is finishing up his Masters and preparing to return to the United States in pursuit of a medical degree.
Hillary Dickinson '15 - Thank you to Hillary for her help as an alumna on developing and strengthening Alumni Relations. We thank her also for donating to the Department so generously!
Henry Lewis '19 - Thank you to Henry for his help in organizing the Department's outreach and teaching in Bhutan. We appreciate it so much!
Andrew Gardner '12 - I wanted to share with the department of religion that I will be graduating from Wake Forest School of Divinity this year with my MDiv and will be heading to get my PhD in American Religious History at Florida State University. I can't thank the department enough for helping prepare me for graduate work. My undergraduate course work in religion has been really helpful in this program and I'm sure will be really helpful in the years to come at FSU! (03/15)
Lea Harrison '08 - In 2015, I graduated from the Catholic University of America, with a Master's in Library and Information Science and began working at the U.S. Senate Library in 2016. In May 2021, my boyfriend and I got engaged and we're looking forward to wedding in April 2022!
Devon Corneal '94 - In addition to working as a lawyer in New York, I've been fortunate to be able to start writing for the Huffington Post, and my latest post as partially inspired by my time in the Department -- thanks to Profs Finn, Raphael and Tiefel for their exploration of all aspects of religion. (12/11)
Reed Miller '95 - After living for a long time in the DC area and working for a trade journal that covers the medical device industry, for the past two years I've been a journalist for theheart.org, a news and education source for cardiologists. I work at home, so I've moved back to my home town of State College, PA and bought a house. It's a great life. I'm so grateful for my education in the W&M religion department. Without it, I wouldn't be able to write for a living. (11/11)
Gillian Barr '90 - I was ordained an Episcopal priest in April 2011, and have returned to southern Virginia from San Diego, CA to serve as Episcopal campus minister at Old Dominion University in Norfolk. I earned my M.Div. from Princeton Seminary in 1995 and a postgraduate certificate in Anglican Studies from Virginia Seminary in 2010. From 1990 to now I have worked as a religious educator in parishes and as a public library manager. (07/11)
Corinna Hann '08 - I've recently received my Masters in Religious Studies from Hebrew University of Jerusalem. (06/11)
Matthew Duperon '03 - Hi! I can't remember if or when I last sent in an update, but a lot has happened in the 8 years since I graduated. I got an MA in Asian Studies from Cornell University in 2006, and I am finishing up my PhD in Religious Studies at Brown University with a dissertation entitled "'The Way Comes About as We Walk It': The Huainanzi and Early Daoist Ethics." In the past few years I have taught Chinese religion and philosophy as a Lecturer in Religion at Trinity College in Hartford, CT and next year I will begin a tenure-track assistant professor appointment in the Philosophy & Religion department at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA. I also got married in 2005 to Jennifer Filanowski (Philosophy and Economics '03), and we had our first son, Peter Matthew (W&M class of 2033) in May 2010. I hope everyone in the department is doing well, and I hope to finally make it back for Homecoming soon, now that I will be living significantly closer to VA. Thanks! (02/11)
Justin McIntosh '05 - I was ordained to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church in May, 2010, and I am currently serving as the Assistant Rector at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, McLean. (09/10)
