dynamic FACULTY COUPLES ADD UNIQUE ASPECT TO LIFE AT AMU
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f you were to visit the faculty lounge at Ave Maria University in-between classes, you would likely hear a myriad of friendly conversations, ranging from local politics to new techniques in spectrophotometry to the works of William Shakespeare. The friendships built between faculty members at AMU are one of the driving forces behind the success of the institution. However, there are some faculty whose relationship goes a bit deeper. These four couples share what it is like to work alongside each other, offering an insight into their lives as married academics.
a v e m a r i a m a g a z i n e | f a l l 2014
Drs. Seana and Michael Sugrue are true pioneers of Ave Maria University.
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THE COUPLE LEFT TEACHING positions at Princeton University and moved to AMU because it presented the rare opportunity for them to be part of the founding of a first-class university. They felt called to be a part of a new university that was strong in its academics and Catholic faith, and one welcoming to families. They started teaching at AMU in the summer of 2004, when the university was situated at the temporary campus in North Naples where the student body consisted of fewer than 400 students. “We wanted to support the creation of an excellent Catholic liberal arts university,” said Seana Sugrue, Associate Professor of Politics. Her husband Michael Sugrue is a Professor of History and the Chairman of the Faculty’s Core Curriculum Committee. Today, they work closely with the administration to improve the quality of student lives and enhance the academic rigor. The couple considers themselves blessed to share the same spirit and love for teaching and desire to lead the students entrusted
to them on their academic journey. And because history and politics are related disciplines, they have many students in common. “While the professors at Ave Maria University are uniformly terrific, teaching is one thing that Michael and I really enjoy. We like the unscripted intellectual exchange with students. We take a great interest in our students and will do what we can to help them achieve their goals,” she said. Seana Sugrue has a B.B.A. from Bishop’s University, and an LL.B. from the University of Ottawa, and LL.M. and D.C.L. from Mc-
Gill University. She has taught at Princeton and McGill. Michael Sugrue holds a B.A. from The University of Chicago and an M.A., M.Phil., and a Ph.D from Columbia University. The couple’s characteristic humility emerges when discussing their role with the university. “Actually, I don’t think of myself as a role model at all. I simply love what I do. I love my students, and try to do the best I can at my work,” Seana said. Her husband agrees. “I just teach to the best of my ability and try to steer students in the right direction.” Their key to teaching, living and work-