Program Faculty
Jonathan Nelson, Ph.D.
Newly minted philosopher Dr. Jonathan Nelson joined the University of Providence faculty in 2017. His dissertation explored Plato’s theories on the immortality of the soul. His research interests include the ethical implications of the ontological status of the soul – in other words, can knowing what kind of thing the soul is help you understand what you should be doing? He is an experienced instructor, after stints at Southern Illinois Edwardsville, Southwest Illinois Community College, McKendree University and Saint Louis University.
He is ecstatic to be back near the mountains after his academic exile in the Midwest. A native of Boise, Idaho, he enjoys camping and hiking, and board games with friends.
BA, Boise State University
MA, Saint Louis University
PhD, Saint Louis University
“You are wedded to stupidity, my good fellow, stupidity in the highest degree—our discussion and your own words convict you of it.”
-Socrates, Alcibiades 118b (translated by D.S. Hutchinson)
Brendan Palla, Ph.D.
Dr. Brendan Palla teaches philosophy and interdisciplinary coursework in tandem with professors from multiple disciplines. He was a teaching fellow at Fordham University prior to moving to Big Sky country in 2014. A member of the core curriculum revision team, he helped research and articulate a foundation for the new Lumen de Lumine core. He has also taught ethics for the School of Health Professions.
His scholarship focuses on the Catholic Intellectual tradition, with an emphasis on Aquinas’ robust account of human freedom, alongside Aristotelian concepts of the common good. His favorite project is “Rage against the Machine” which he is developing for the Reacting to the Past series. Working with Professor Louise Williams (History) of Central Connecticut State University, he is developing a textbook-length, three-five week, student-led, role-playing scenario that explores the philosophical and social issues surrounding the industrialization of Manchester, UK, in the early 1800s.
In his (limited) free time, he enjoys playing board games and exploring the Mountain West with friends and family.
BA, Gonzaga University
MA, Fordham University
MPhil, Fordham University
PhD, Fordham University
“You take the blue pill, the story ends. You wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.”
-Morpheus, The Matrix
Contact Information
University of Providence
1301 20th Street South
Great Falls, Montana 59405