Dr. Andrew Gertner Belfield, assistant professor of theology and Franciscan studies, defended his doctoral dissertation on Oct. 25.

The dissertation, titled "Foundations of Scholastic Christology in the Summa Halensis," studies early Franciscan christology (especially the work of Alexander of Hales and his school) and its place in the development of 13th century approaches to the person and salvific significance of Jesus.

Belfield's dissertation was written out of Boston College, under the direction of Dr. Boyd Taylor Coolman.