Chestnut Hill College Professor of Religious Studies Marie A. Conn, Ph.D., FT, and adjunct professor Manisha Shendge, D.Min., FT, earned Fellow (s) in Thanatology from the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC). This Fellow in Thanatology: Death, Dying and Bereavement, is an advanced professional certification bestowed upon thanatology professionals. Thanatology is the scientific study of death that investigates the mechanisms and forensic aspects of death such as bodily changes that accompany death and the post-mortem period, and the wider social aspects related to death.
ADEC, one of the oldest interdisciplinary organizations in the death, dying and bereavement field, has nearly 2,000 members that includes professionals such as psychologists, counselors, social workers, educators, researchers, hospice personnel, clergy and volunteers.
“This validates my longstanding interest in the constellation of issues around death, aging, caregiving, dying, death and bereavement. It is also an unexpected achievement at this late stage of my academic and pastoral career. I am extremely grateful for Manisha’s encouragement, for her many years of service to our department and for our mutually enriching friendship,” said Dr. Conn.
Dr. Conn holds a doctorate in theology from the University of Notre Dame and has written books that include “C.S. Lewis and Human Suffering: Light Among the Shadows” and “Noble Daughters: Unheralded Women in Western Christianity, 13th to 18th.” She is actively engaged in work for justice in areas such as fair trade, health-care reform, human trafficking and quality education access for all children. Her interests have taken her across the globe to places such as El Salvador, Rwanda, Auschwitz/Birkenau, Tanzania, the South Bronx and the Kensington section of Philadelphia.
Dr. Shendge has taught as an adjunct professor at the College for 15 years, is a pastoral counselor and licensed marriage and family therapist in private practice, has worked for more than 15 years in hospice care and is a clinical fellow with the American Academy of Marriage and Family.
