Marc Rugani

Chaplain-in-Residence (Catholic), Reynolds Hall
Age: 33
Hometown: Buffalo, N.Y.
Time at Georgetown: 1 year

What drew you to your field?
Actually, it was the encounters I had with theology professors here. I was an SFS student when I came to Georgetown, and took a course with Fr. Fields on [Cardinal] Newman and became fascinated with philosophy and theology and considering grand questions. The more professors I met in the theology department here, the more I wanted to be like them. Now, specifically, I did a couple years of international service in Honduras, and I really saw the value of my ethics to contemporary problems. What I’m trying to do with my Ph.D. is to bend together economic development theory and moral theology.

What drew you to back Georgetown?
Part of it was just coincidence. I ended up at Catholic University to work on my Ph.D., and one of my former roommates from when I was here at Georgetown was a chaplain-in-residence here; he recommended that I apply, and my wife and I were accepted.

How do you see the residential ministry program affecting student experience on campus?
I hope that the program provides and promotes the sense of community that Georgetown really promotes as a core value and it allows people to rely on one another as instigators to inquiry, not only in class but in their lives, and become the people they want to be — true, authentic, examining values — and I think that we provide a comfortable space and opportunities to explore those questions in a nonthreatening, open forum.

What is the biggest challenge you face in your position as a chaplain-in-residence? Are there any difficulties or benefits to living in an upperclassman dorm?
I don’t really find any day-to-day problem living in a residence hall setting. My wife, Liz, and I have been astonished at how natural it feels, partly because of the real relationships that we’ve been able to form with people, so it’s not like we feel like interlopers in somebody else’s home. If anything, there are almost too many opportunities to be present and active here at Georgetown, and I have a very limited amount of time to divide between my role at Catholic University of America and here. Sometimes I have to say no to really cool options, so time management can be hard.

How does living and working at a chaplain-in-residence here compare to the work you’ve done abroad? What was it like to come back to this?
There was a bit of a culture shock, certainly a reserve acculturation that I had to work through, but at the same time, I think that it’s exciting to be at a university in light of that experience. Living in a more anonymous setting, like an apartment downtown, doesn’t provide as many opportunities to share those experiences or find people who also have similar values. At Georgetown, I think many people are intrigued by that and have questions about it value the insight that comes from unusual experience, and they use what they hear and learn to propel them forward.

Can you describe any memorable experiences you’ve had since moving in this year?
One of the things that I’ve really enjoyed is seeing the real talent of the students here and being able to attend things like concerts that are available on campus. I got to see “Don’t Drink the Water” in the fall and just saw “Insurrection,” and they were really impressive. I was overwhelmed with the talent and professionalism of the students. It’s also been fun to enjoy the snow days and share in the joy of days off with the students. Also, being back after 12 years, I really have a gift that few people have: walking around and reflecting on what was a highly formative time in my life and getting to see how I’ve changed and been challenged since graduating has helped me to understand how impactful Georgetown has been on my life.

What do you most enjoy doing outside of work?
I like running on the C&O Canal. My wife and I try to get out three to four times a week — sometimes it’s once or twice, if we’re unlucky, but we love enjoying exercise. I’m kind of a big nerd — I love playing computer games — so that’s always a treat when I’m feeling overwhelmed; I find my brothers-in-law and play online role-playing games, getting to crush each other. I also love getting together with friends for dinner some place here in D.C., or we’ll host people in our apartment. I love to cook. I don’t find my cooking to be a chore; I love sitting down and enjoying what I’ve made.

If you weren’t working in a religious tradition, what would you like to do in life? Do you have a dream job?
At various stages in my life, I’ve had many of them. I always loved trains, so I thought that in a very different life, I’d be a conductor, getting to see the country, meeting interesting people along the way. 

Interview by Alexander Brown