Affiliated Faculty Scholars Center for Technology and Human Dignity

Jim Madden has taught at Benedictine College since 2003. He has a Ph.D. from Purdue University (Philosophy), a M.A. from Kent State University (Philosophy), a M.A. from the Global Center for Advanced Studies (Psychoanalysis), and a B.A. from St. Norbert College (Philosophy). Jim’s academic work focuses on the philosophy of mind, philosophy of technology, philosophy of religion, psychoanalysis, and metaphysics. He is the author of Mind, Matter, and Nature (2013), Thinking about Thinking: Mind and Meaning in the Era of Techno-Nihilism (2023),and Unidentified Flying Hyperobject (2023). His next book, Subjectivity and Its Discontent(s), is under review. You can find out more about his work here.

Dr. John Rziha received his MA in theology from the University of Dallas (1998) and his PHD in theology from the Catholic University of America (2006). He has taught at Benedictine College since 2001. His area of expertise is moral theology and he regularly teaches class in moral theology, Church history, bioethics, and Catholic social thought. He has written two books, Perfecting Human Actions: St. Thomas Aquinas on Participation in Eternal Law (CUA Press, 2009) and a handbook for moral theology called, The Christian Moral Life: Directions for the Journey to Happiness (Notre Dame Press, 2017). He and his wife have nine children and run an orchard.

Dr. Kevin Tulipana serves as Associate Dean for Clinical Education and Formation at the proposed Benedictine College School of Osteopathic Medicine. A physician executive and educator, he has led at the intersection of healthcare delivery, medical education, and ethics throughout his career. Dr. Tulipana previously served as President at City of Hope Phoenix. Board-certified in Family Medicine, he holds a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree and a master’s degree in bioethics, equipping him to guide future physicians in both clinical excellence and moral decision-making. His expertise includes physician alignment, clinical operations, and the formation of ethical leaders in medicine. At Benedictine, he is developing mission-driven partnerships and educational structures that prepare students to integrate medical knowledge, compassionate care, and human dignity into their vocation of service. He recently located to Atchison KS with his wife of 30 years, Kara and four of their eight children.

John Meinert, Ph.D., received his doctorate from CUA and specializes in Moral Theology/Ethics. At Benedictine, Dr. Meinert teaches Christian Moral Life, Bioethics, Catholic Social Thought, and Spiritual Theology. His latest book is entitled Thomas Aquinas on Peace: Philosophy, Theology, and Ethics and is forthcoming with CUA Press (2024). His research has also appeared in Nova et Vetera, The Angelicum, New Blackfriars, The Journal of Moral Theology, The Thomist, The European Journal for the Study of Thomas Aquinas, and Augustinian Studies. He resides in Atchison with his wife (Katie) and their four children.

Deacon Nicolaas tenBroek lives in Atchison with his family. He has been teaching Computer Science for 30 years, with interests in accessible computing, mobile computing, networking, and databases.

Dr. Francis Petruccelli was born and raised in Rockville, Maryland. He attended Benedictine College, graduating in 2011 with a double major in English and Philosophy. He completed his graduate work at The Catholic University of America, earning his M.A. in 2017 and his Ph.D. in 2019. His dissertation explored the relationship between nature and the notions of goodness and reasons. His primary area of specialization is ethics, and he is especially interested in virtue ethics, and in the intersection of subjectivity (the “I”), teleology (the “good”) and normativity (the “ought”). He also likes to engage with contemporary philosophical thinkers that have deep roots in the tradition of Western philosophy. He currently lives in Atchison with his wife, Lindsay, their four boys, and their cat, Thelonious.

Michelle Zaleski attended Boston College for undergraduate and received her Master’s and Ph.D. in rhetoric and composition from Penn State. At Benedictine College, she teaches composition and directs the writing center. She has become an integral member of the college’s AI Taskforce, drafting the school’s policy on AI and publishing an article in the edited collection Impact of Emergent Technologies on Writing Centers and Pedagogy on the process. She has also helped organize faculty workshops and student events around campus on the nature of work and education in the age of AI.

Tony joined the Benedictine College School of Engineering in 2022, following a career in the aerospace sector where he specialized in the design and troubleshooting of electronic systems for commercial aircraft. His experience spans flight control systems, cabin electronics, and electromechanical components. His technical interests include automating analog integrated circuit design.

He holds both a B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from LeTourneau University, where he also served as a research and teaching assistant. Tony lives in Atchison with his family.