A memorial service for Charles E. Winquist, Thomas J.Watson Professor of Religion in The College of Arts and Sciences since 1986, will be held May 4 at 3 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel. Winquist died April 4 after a long illness. He was 57.
A native of Toledo, Ohio, Winquist received a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1965 from the University of Toledo, a master's degree in philosophy from the University of Chicago in 1968 and a Ph.D. in philosophical theology from the University of Chicago in 1970. He taught at Union College in Kentucky from 1968-69, and was then appointed to the religious studies department at California State University at Chico. There, he served as chair of the department from 1974-78, and the department was nationally recognized for its quality during his tenure. He was the recipient of numerous awards for teaching, and was named the university's Outstanding Professor in 1985.
He was named the executive director of the American Academy of Religion in 1979 and served in that position until 1982. He concurrently served as director of Scholars Press from 1981-82.
Winquist came to Syracuse University in 1986, when he assumed the Watson professorship in the Department of Religion.
"He was devoted to his teaching and his students," says James Wiggins, professor emeritus and former chair of the Department of Religion in The College of Arts and Sciences. "He was indefatigable in finding ways to support students by assisting them in finding employment opportunities, in promoting them in their writing and publication by helping them locate publishing venues, and befriending them in many ways. He was deeply committed to the Department of Religion, where in addition to his outstanding teaching he was an invaluable contributor."
"Always thinking on the edges of philosophy, theology and religion, Dr. Winquist made significant contributions to both students and like minded professionals in these sub-fields, and in the study of modern and postmodern forms of religious thought," says Richard Pilgrim, professor and current chair of the Department of Religion.
Winquist was director of graduate studies within the department from 1988 to 1992. He won a Fulbright Fellowship in 1993 and studied in Greece at Thessalonica. He was a lecturer at many universities and conferences both in the United States and abroad, most recently a series of lectures in China in summer 2000.
He was the author or editor of numerous books, including "Desiring Theology" (1995), "Theology at the End of the Century" (1990), "Epiphanies of Darkness" (1986), "Practical Hermeneutics" (1980), "Homecoming" (1978), "Communion of Possibility" (1975) and "The Transcendental Imagination" (1972). He also authored numerous articles.
"Professor Charles E. Winquist left a legacy of challenging scholarship, superb teaching, committed collegiality and deep loyalty to his family and friends," Wiggins says. "He departed much too soon and we shall profoundly miss his presence in our midst."
