Ralph Keen
Dean
Honors College
Pronouns: he/him
Contact
Building & Room:
Burnham Hall
Email:
About
Ralph Keen, Dean of the Honors College (2015-16), was a classics major as an undergraduate and received his PhD in the history of Christianity. Before he came to UIC in 2010 as professor of history and Schmitt Chair in Catholic Studies, he taught in the Religious Studies department at the University of Iowa, where he was also Director of Undergraduate Studies and Honors Advisor (as well as supervisor of dozens of senior research projects). He has also been a visiting professor at Harvard Divinity School.
Honors mentoring, he feels, calls for allowing oneself to be challenged and stimulated by a student’s plans. What’s your dream? How far do you want to go? A good advisor and teacher listens to the Honors College student and guides that person on a path toward realizing that goal. All our students, Keen feels, are impressive on paper and in person; but it’s when working with them that they inspire their professors. The best students bring out the best efforts in those lucky enough to work with them. Mr. Keen sees his job as making those productive relationships possible.