Seattle University President, Stephen V. Sundborg, SJ, recently announced that Dr. Paulette Kidder is the 2019-2020 recipient of the James B. McGoldrick, S.J., Fellowship. Named for a beloved Jesuit who devoted a half century of his life to Seattle University, the fellowship recognizes an extraordinary faculty member who embodies the mission and values of Seattle University. The McGoldrick Fellowship, the most prestigious award Seattle University confers upon faculty, includes a quarter or semester sabbatical.
In his announcement, Fr. Sundborg said, “Dr. Kidder’s considerable contributions as a teacher-scholar are rivaled by her incredible service to the university. Much as Father McGoldrick guided our institution through times of transition and challenge, Dr. Kidder has, time and again, answered the call when our university has needed her most. After having served as associate dean and interim dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, she was appointed interim dean of Matteo Ricci in 2016 and, with a steadying hand, she led the college through its transition to the institute that she now directs.”
He continued, “Colleagues and students alike value Dr. Kidder for her warmth and compassion and her principled and visionary leadership. She not only espouses but truly lives out the highest ideals of our Jesuit educational mission.”
“I can imagine no better exemplar of someone who “embodies the mission and values of our institution” in the spirit of Fr. McGoldrick than Dr. Paulette Kidder,” said Dr. David V. Powers, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “She is a teacher-scholar who has stepped up into a host of leadership roles across the college and the university, often in challenging times. Paulette’s thoughtfulness, graciousness and strength create an environment where people feel heard, supported and able to move forward together even through difficulties. She is an outstanding faculty member and genuinely warm-hearted person; I offer my sincerest congratulations.”
Currently the director of the Matteo Ricci Institute and associate professor of philosophy, Dr. Kidder has been on SU’s faculty since 1989. She teaches courses on health care ethics, ethics of food, 19th century thought, feminist moral theory and the philosophy of Martha Nussbaum. Her research and numerous publications have focused on bioethics, philosophy and literature/film, contemporary continental philosophy and the dialogue between Catholic thought and contemporary philosophical movements.
Upon learning of her selection, Dr. Kidder said, “I am very grateful for this recognition, especially when I read the list of past recipients, many of whom have been my friends and my most admired colleagues at SU. I was fortunate to meet Fr. McGoldrick once when I visited SU as a college student. He made a strong impression as someone who carried the identity of the institution but who took the time to interact with students in a warm and humorous way. It’s a great thing that we continue to celebrate his legacy.”
Kidder will be recognized as the recipient of the 2019-2020 McGoldrick Fellowship at the annual Faculty and Staff Appreciation Event in May.