“I was born and raised in Lubbock, TX. I probably fit all the Texas stereotypes in that I love country music, barbeque, sweet tea, football, etc. Regrettably, I did not ride a horse to school. I have two brothers (I am the middle) who are both in the military. My father is a life-long UPS man and my mom is an administrative assistant at Texas Tech University. My wife, Blair, and I have been married for 3 years, we live in historic Newport, and we have two daughters: Charlotte (2 years) and Jane (4 months).

“I completed my college studies at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN where I studied Catholic Studies and Environmental Studies. The Catholic intellectual tradition has taught me to passionately love the world and cultivate a sense of wonder. Happily, the mission of the Portsmouth Institute is grounded in this understanding and is committed to promoting the technicolor Catholic worldview. I feel privileged to be part of the mission of the Portsmouth Institute and be part of the Portsmouth Abbey community.

“Although much of my time here has been amidst the COVID pandemic, I have been impressed by how many wonderful people I have encountered. When I first arrived, I was struck by the number of people who have, so to speak, “bought in” to something bigger than themselves and have made it their life’s work to serve others and build an intentional community. More importantly, I appreciate how life at the Abbey is centered around the Sacraments. Grace is truly at work here and there is so much life the Abbey has to give to its campus community and community at-large.

“Again, it has been the misfortune of the pandemic that I have not been able to interact as much I would have otherwise, but I have nonetheless been able to take advantage of making friends with a number of great people. The monks and faculty of the Abbey have been very hospitable and welcoming. The students are equally impressive. In fact, when I was here to visit for the first time, I was walking back to my room in the dark when a student noticed I was visiting and he went out of his way to introduce himself to me when he could have simply nodded or ignored me. I was very struck by that and impressed by the way the Abbey students dignified others.

“My unique outlook is my love for the Church. I desire to always be a faithful son and think with the Church. The both/and of Catholicism is one of my great joys. I appreciate the Church’s teaching on Scripture and tradition, grace and nature, faith and reason, love and truth, etc. As sufficed by St. Augustine, ‘Love and do what you will.’”