Dr. Aaron Gies, one of the nation’s “most promising” Franciscan scholars, has been named recipient of the first Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Franciscan Research at St. Bonaventure University.

Fr. David B. Couturier, O.F.M. Cap., executive director of the Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure, announced the appointment today.

The fellowship is an annual award to provide qualified scholars with the opportunity to deepen their Franciscan theological research using St. Bonaventure University’s world-renowned Franciscan Collection, and to teach courses under the mentorship of professors from the Department of Theology and Franciscan Studies.

“Dr. Gies’ recent doctoral work at The Catholic University of America focused on Alexander of Hales, the first Parisian Master of Theology in the Franciscan Order. He has distinguished himself as one of the most promising young scholars of the history of Franciscan theology,” said Dr. Joshua Benson, chair of Theology and Franciscan Studies.

Franciscan Institute Publications recently published Gies’ translation of Alexander's “On the Significations and Exposition of Holy Scripture,” which sheds new light on Alexander as a theologian and on the intersection of theology and biblical interpretation in the Middle Ages.

Couturier expressed the importance of Gies’ appointment to this new fellowship.

“Dr. Gies is one of the most impressive emerging Franciscan scholars in America today,” he said. “He brings training and experience in the editing of medieval texts, a traditional focus of research at the Franciscan Institute, which he will augment under the guidance of faculty such as Dr. Oleg Bychkov. We are excited to have him as part of our research team.”

Gies will begin his fellowship as visiting assistant professor at St. Bonaventure on Aug. 12.

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