Upon walking into Saint Louis University theology professor Kenneth Parker’s office, one can gather that this man is interested in learning and academics. Books upon books line his walls, a physical representation of how he views the academic world.

“My life really was in academia,” Parker said after telling his story of leaving his life as a Benedictine monk.
Before venturing into the world of theology, Parker studied writing and history; however, after a realization during his undergraduate years, Parker chose to pursue theological studies.
“My initial interest in theology really stemmed from my questions regarding my faith.”

Parker received his first degree in divinity, and then went on to study at the University of Cambridge in England. It was there that Parker received his Ph.D. and went on to spend the next five years in a monastery.

“It taught me a lot about prayer, but also [about] finding pleasure in the ordinary,” Parker said. “I learned to love learning for the sake of learning.”

He also took away with him a tendency to wake up early.
“I still wake up around 2:30 or 3:30 in the morning,” Parker said, who explained that he uses this time for prayer and reflection.

Not only does Parker enjoy teaching students within the traditional University walls, but he also has ventured into a very different academic environment. This new setting involves more iron bars and a strict curfew.

Parker developed a pilot program at Missouri’s Bonne Terre Prison that provided interested inmates the opportunity to study theology while serving their sentences.

More than 300 applications were received for the 15 spots available.

“The applications were compelling, and you could see this tremendous hunger present for higher level education,” Parker said.

The program finished its pilot certificate course work, and Parker expressed that the results were incredibly encouraging.

“We actually have to create much harder courses for prison students than we have for University students.”

An Associate of Arts program is also in the works, and it is Parker’s dedication to the learning process that inspired the prison initiative.

“I’ve always been concerned [and] interested in social justice issues, but I’ve never really been able to connect what I’m doing here at the University to those who are marginalized in society,” Parker said. “To teach in a prison setting is really one of the most dynamic experiences a professor can have, and we’re looking to transform the lives of these people.”

Besides classrooms and prison cells, Parker also spends his time in other learning environments.
“I’m a swimmer, and I actually attend master swim classes at [Simon Recreational Center].”

Parker will be the featured speaker at the Last Lecture series on Tuesday, April 27. There, he will present his hypothetical last lecture.

“The one thing that I would love to communicate is my hope that the experience a student has at SLU will be the formation of a love of learning, not only [for] now, but for a lifetime.”