Philosophy and Religion Highlight - featuring Gianna DiMauro '25
October 8, 2025
Arts and humanities professors and students attended the “On the Future of the Una
Sancta” conference in Syros, Greece, from May 29 - June 1, 2025.
From left to right, Professor of Religion Edward Siecienski, Gregory Rothschild, Andrew Simoes, Ariana Sorto, Gianna Di Mauro, and Professor of History Tom Papademetriou, explore the Parthenon and other sites while visiting Greece.
Tell us about yourself and why you chose the Philosophy and Religion program.
I chose to dedicate my studies to both the Psychology program and the Philosophy & Religion program because I have always wanted to understand humanity. I have always been drawn toward questions of how and why people become who they are. The intersection between psychology and philosophy is the field that works toward answering these questions. While psychology can oftentimes answer these questions scientifically, it doesn’t always provide the meaning behind them. The meaning of life, the potentiality of an afterlife, and the soul cannot be scientifically proven, at least yet. Philosophy and religion play a key role in this area of study.
Tell us about the conference you attended with the program.
The conference I attended in Greece was “On the Future of the Una Sancta”. Religious scholars from around the world attended to discuss the future of the Christian faith. These scholars, theologians, and philosophers discussed the existing divisions within Christianity, specifically the differences in tradition, eschatology, and the potentiality of Christian denominations reuniting as one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
What was your role at the conference? How did your studies prepare you for this opportunity?
The conference went on for a few days. My role was to listen to all of the participants' talks on their perceptions and thoughts on the future of Christianity, and share my perspective as a younger individual involved in this field. I was able to relay a newer take on the future of the Christian faith to more well-established scholars and theologians. My studies laid the foundational layer of my understanding of religion, both the history and current state of Christianity, and my ability to philosophize about such on my own.
Describe your experience traveling to Greece.
Traveling to Greece was one of the best experiences of my life for a multitude of reasons. I went into the trip expecting to love the country itself, but just as much, I fell in love with the shared experience of intellectual discovery and the genuine human connection that came along with it. I was guided by my professors alongside my peers and was given the opportunity to explore with them or on my own. Every moment of this trip was amazing, from the conference to the sights and the food.
How did this experience impact your education? What will you take away from this opportunity?
This experience taught me the value of stepping outside of my comfort zone, leading me to greater connections and insights that I would have never gained otherwise. This opportunity gave me an incredibly unique perspective on the topics discussed in the classroom and brought them to life. It allowed me to witness and partake in fruitful intellectual discussions, Hellenic culture, and provided me with memories that will last a lifetime.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I will forever be grateful for this opportunity and would hands down recommend to Stockton students to take any potential opportunity to travel and broaden their horizons.
