Jarrod Gasper works at Palmer Catholic Academy in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida teaching Middle School Religion. He assists in a variety of capacities, such as chaplain for mass, head of service hours and assistant coach of sports teams for the school. He also assists at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church in the Young Adult Ministry as a core member. Jarrod has assisted with developing and creating service and prayer opportunities for students at Palmer Catholic Academy, most recently through a rosary walk that was conducted by the students of Palmer Catholic Academy at the Church.

“My favorite class in college had to be my Introduction to Christianity class with Dr. Tkacik. In one of the first class sessions, he stated "We will be going over something in class that will be difficult to understand... Christ is fully human and fully divine." I raised my hand as an ignorant young freshman and said "You mean 50-50." Dr. Tkacik replied "No, I mean 100-100." From that point forward I wanted to understand all of theology because of how big and complicated it all was. It fascinated me and made me want to know more about our faith, as I continue to research and study today.”
Amy Bernadette Persaud (MA, 2013) is a Youth Minster and Varsity Soccer Coach at Espiritu Santo Catholic Church and School.  She has been a minister since 2006 throughout her collegiate undergraduate years at Saint Leo University in University Ministry and Drama Ministry.  Through her Graduate time at Saint Leo University – Amy worked as a Graduate Assistant for University Ministry and the Department of Religion, Philosophy and Theology.  She has worked as a Full-time Youth Minister at Espiritu Santo Catholic Church and School since the summer of 2014.
 
Her spiritual journey began on a mission trip to Jamaica the summer after graduating from High School.  That fall, she matriculated at Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Florida and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science.  While at Saint Leo, she was a part of University Ministry as a Student Chaplain, in S.E.R.V.E (Students Engaging in Rewarding Volunteer Experience), Music Ministry and Drama Ministry.  In my senior undergraduate year, she interned at Royal Oaks Nursing Home and then "graduated" to Children's Ministry that summer.  She was accepted and began her study in Theology that fall.  She wanted to learn more about the God whom she felt called to serve.
Greg McClung (BA 2012) studied at PHSC for two years 2008-2010 while working in youth ministry at St. Anthony the Abbott Catholic Church in Brooksville, Florida before leaving Florida to enter the Salesian Formation house to begin studies to be a Salesian priest.  He studied there from 2010-2012 before starting his academic career at SLU in the fall of 2012.  While studying religion at SLU he was also worked as a resident assistant. 
 
Greg currently teaches religion to sophomores and juniors at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School in Hudson, Florida and also serves as Co-Campus Minister and was the Head Swim Coach for the Varsity boys and girls swim team for the 2015 season. 
 
Greg explained that his time at SLU helped to shape the type of employee and teacher that he is today.  “I love my job and would not have even considered this job without the encouragement of the SLU Theology Faculty.  For them, I am forever grateful.”
 
Picture
Nicol Nixon Augusté, PhD (MA 2017) recently published her inaugural book Rome’s Female Saints: A Poetic Pilgrimage to the Eternal City, a multidisciplinary work exuding biography, prayer, and poetry. This book stems from her SCAD Affiliated American Academy in Rome Fellowship. The importance of Rome’s Female Saints rests in continuing to tell the stories of those women who have been largely ignored by or lost to history so that readers interested in sainthood, martyrdom, history, biography, poetry, and travel can share in an experience that can continue into the next generation. Also, this book encourages readers to be aware of and create solidarity with those who continue to either endure torture and martyrdom or serve the Body in the name of Jesus Christ. Saints covered in this book range from women living during the Apostolic Age such as Saints Anastasia and Basilissa of Rome to current saints like Saint Teresa of Calcutta. ​

Nicol’s book is available through WestBow Press and other online retailers such as Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com. For more information and photos, visit her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/romesfemalesaints/ or at her Wixsite: https://romesfemalesaints.wixsite.com/auguste.  Nicol is a Professor of Liberal Arts at the Savannah College of Art and Design and currently lives in Savannah, Georgia. Her work has appeared in journals such as Catholic Medical Quarterly UK, Sandhill Review, and The Tau.

Picture
Mr. Jamal Lowe joined us at SLU for his BA in theology after seven years of dedicated and courageous service in the Navy. He was awarded Navy Achievement Medals were granted in each command. He explained: "There’s more depth to my story & many to thank. However, a new mission has presented itself with Life Through My Eyes Foundation. The vision is meant to inspire and educate others to participate in civic engagement with the hopes of boosting economic development in the Philippines. I implore your help now for a purpose greater than I can imagine, just think of what we can do together! I have created several programs to achieve specific goals to help children or the elderly in need. Any monetary blessing is greatly appreciated & will further this task. Visit: lifethroughmyeyesdg.blogspot.com to learn more about this mission. Due to its sensitive details, message me @ (jamal.lowe@email.saintleo.edu) for complete program package & how you can contribute. A sharp salute to Saint Leo University for instilling responsible stewardship into your core values!" Very Respectfully, Jamal R Lowe.
Picture
If you would like to be included on this page, please send a photo, class year and degree, a brief bio and any other info to: randall.woodard@saintleo.edu