Former Loras Adjunct Professor Returns for Studdert Lecture

Loras College will host Dean Kowalski, Ph.D., professor of philosophy and chair of the Arts and Humanities Department of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of General Studies. He will present “Virtuous Vanguard or Voracious Villain? L for Leadership and V for Vendetta” at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 5 in Hoffmann Auditorium inside St. Joseph’s Hall of Science. The event is free and open to the public.

Kowalski’s presentation, part of the Andrew P. Studdert Business Ethics and Crisis Leadership Lecture Series, examines the 2006 film V for Vendetta through the lens of exploring the characteristics of proper leadership in times of governmental crisis.

Through the lens of the film and its characters, Kowalski dives into the intricacies of proper leadership, as well as how film can engage the philosophical process. 

Kowalski is a graduate of Ripon College, earning undergraduate degrees in philosophy and history. He earned his Ph.D. in philosophy from UW-Madison. He has authored, edited, or co-edited seven books, each with some connection to popular culture and philosophy: Classic Questions and Contemporary Film (2nd edition in 2015), The Philosophy of The X-Files (2nd edition in 2009), The Philosophy of Steven Spielberg, The Philosophy of Joss Whedon, Moral Theory at the Movies, The Big Bang Theory and Philosophy, and Joss Whedon as Philosopher. He served as an adjunct professor at Loras College from 1999 to 2001.

The Andrew P. Studdert Business Ethics and Crisis Leadership Lecture Series was established in 2016 to provide the Loras community and public access to nationally recognized thinkers and experts who explore current issues concerning business, ethics and crisis leadership. The lecture series is made possible through the generosity of Andrew P. Studdert.

For more information, please contact Roman Ciapalo at roman.ciapalo@loras.edu.