Membership Information
The American Maritain Association draws its membership from a wide variety of parties: professional academics, independent scholars, clergy, and fellow travelers in support of the realist-Thomist tradition of philosophical thought inspired by the work of Jacques Maritain and those various figures who were of influence on him or in dialogue with him (Raïssa Maritain, Yves R. Simon, Fr. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange, Charles Cardinal Journet, Étienne Gilson, et al.). If you are interested in joining our ranks and supporting our work, please contact us using the form below:
Our Officers
Dr. James Jacobs
Vice-President
Director of Philosophy Programs; Associate Academic Dean
Notre Dame Seminary
Specializing in in the thought of Thomas Aquinas, particularly natural law ethics, Dr. James Jacobs
is a stalwart defender of the fecundity of realistic philosophy. He has been a faculty member of Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, LA for over fifteen years and is devoted to the formation of faithful and zealous priests. For more information concerning his work, click here.
Dr. James M. Murdoch,
Vice-President
Assistant Teaching Professor
Villanova University
Dr. Matthew Minerd
Secretary and Webmaster
Professor, Philosophy and Moral Theology
Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Ss. Cyril and Methodius
Dr. Matthew Minerd writes on topics related to 20th century Catholic intellectual history, philosophical and theological methodology, and moral philosophy / theology. In addition to his research work he also is the translator of a number of volumes and articles by French Thomistic authors. For more information concerning his work, click here.
Dr. Francisco Plaza
Treasurer
University of St. Thomas, Houston
Dr. Francisco E. Plaza writes on topics related to the philosophy of culture, in particular political philosophy, the crisis of modern culture, and Maritain’s proposal for a renewal of Catholic culture. For more information concerning his work, click here.
Fr. Christopher Cullen, S.J.
Chaplain
Associate Professor, Philosophy
Fordham University
Fr. Christopher Cullen, S.J. is our devoted association chaplain. In addition to his priestly duties, he is an active researcher in matters philosophical, with interests which include the thought of St. Bonaventure (as well as his intellectual predecessors and successors), Medieval Neo-Platonism, 14th century scholasticism, Medieval Political Philosophy, Thomism and Contemporary Neo-Thomism, The Nature-Grace Debate, Just War Theory, The Problem of Evil—to name a few! For more information concerning his work, click here.
Dr. Travis Dumsday
Assistant General Editor
Assistant Professor, Philosophy
Concordia University
Dr. Travis Dumsday writes and researches questions related to the philosophy of science, metaphysics, the philosphy of religion and Medieval philosophy more broadly. For more information concerning his work, click here.
Megan Furman
Director of Development
Instructor, Philosophy
University of Dallas
Past AMA Presidents
Donald A Gallagher
President from 1977 to 1987
Curtis Hancock
President from 1997 to 2000
Raymond Leo Dennehy
President from 1987 to 1994
John G. Trapani
President from 2000 to 2001
and from 2006 to 2012
Deal Hudson
President from 1994 to 1997
Alice Ramos
President from 2001 to 2004
Ralph McInerny
President from 2004 to 2006
Michael D. Torre
President from 2012 to 2016
James Hanink
President from 2016 to 2022