Staff
Fr. Albert Felice-Pace - fr.albert@unlvnewman.com
I was born on the Island of Malta, a small Island in the Mediterranean. According to the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 28 verse 1, St. Paul was shipwrecked on the Island. One of seven children, I entered the Dominican Order in Malta after finishing High School. Ordained as a priest on April 2, 1960, I came to the United States in 1961 after finishing my philosophical and theological studies in Malta. I also got an MA from the University of San Francisco in Adult Religious Education.My very first assignment was in a parish in Berkley, CA. After just one year, I was assigned to Los Angeles where I started my campus ministry career. I served the catholic community at Occidental College and was part time Associate Pastor at St. Dominic's Parish in Los Angeles. I did not have a clue then what a Newman Club was. But I learned very fast about this ministry and fell in love with it. I have been working with students and the university community for 36 years and still love it.
After seven years in Los Angeles, I moved to St. Albert Priory in Oakland, CA to serve as Director of the Dominican Seminarians. In 1972 I moved to UC Riverside, CA to be the Co-Director of the Newman Center. After four years serving the Newman community, I was appointed by Bishop Straling as Director of Adult Education for the Diocese of San Bernardino. But my passion was campus ministry. So in 1980 I went back to campus ministry. I have been serving the catholic students, faculty and staff at various Pac-10 campuses. In 1980, I served as Director/Pastor for the university catholic communities at Arizona State University, University of Oregon and the University of Arizona. I love to be in the university milieu. It energizes me. Now I am excited to continue my campus ministry at UNLV. I fell in love with the area and I am blessed with a wonderful group of students. My prayer is that together we will continue to bring the Gospel to the university community.
Besides serving various campuses, I was very much involved in the national and regional activities of the Catholic Campus Ministry Association. I was the first President of the Pacific Northwest Catholic Campus Ministry Association. For six years I was a member of the Catholic Campus Ministry Association National Executive Board and for four years a member of the National Association of Diocesan Directors of Catholic Campus Ministry. I also served the Western Dominican Province for five years a member of the Provincial Council.
On January 7, 1985, I was given the "Charles Forsyte Award" in recognition for Outstanding leadership in Campus Ministry. On January 3, 2003, I was recognized by the National Assocation of the Diocesan Directors of Campus Ministry for twenty year of service in that organization.
I love the desert. It grows on you. Coming from an Island, it seems crazy to fall in love with the desert. But I love the heat and the cactus and all that the desert offers. I love traveling. Before I came to UNLV, I went on a trip to Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore and various countries in Europe. My plan is to continue to travel as long as I am able to do it. I love sports. My first love is soccer. I follow the English and the Italian leagues. I also like baseball and American football - my favorite team is the 49ers. Come to my office to see Jerry Rice's autograph. I love college football.
Pray for me as I try my best to serve the people of God at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic community and the Diocese of Las Vegas. Pray that some benefactor will come to help us fulfill the dream- a Chapel and a Newman Center for the UNLV catholic community.
Joseph B. McCullough - joemcc@unlv.nevada.edu
Joseph B. McCullough is Distinguished Professor of English at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He has been a Fulbright Professor of American literature at the University of Helsinki and the University of Athens.He is author or co-author of several books on Mark Twain and Hamlin Garland, including the best-selling "The Bible According to Mark Twain" and "Mark Twain at the Buffalo Express." Also author of many essays on Twain, Garland, American humor, and nineteenth-century writers, he was a "featured guest" on an A&E biography of Mark Twain.
He was given the UNLV Alumni Distinguished Faculty of the Year Award in 1993. In 1997, he was given The Barrick Distinguished Scholar Award. In 1998, he was named Distinguished Professor of English. In 2000, he was the recipient of the Rita Deanin Abbey Teacher of the Year Award in the College of Liberal Arts. He is also Past-President of the American Humor Studies Association, and is the current President of the Advisory Board of the Literary Society-Las Vegas.
Finally, he is the Faculty Advisor of the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Newman Community at UNLV. He regularly teaches courses on American literature, American humor, and the Bible as Literature.
David Zeamer - zeamer@unlvnewman.com
I am originally from Eastern Washington, and I came down here to finish my English Degree. It was during that time in college that I reconnected with my Catholic faith. I started attending daily Mass whenever possible.Now through the Grace of God, I am able to give back to an organization that has done so much for me. This path has led me to career that I would have never considered, fundraising. In fact, it has led me to pursue a Master of Arts in Philanthropy and Development (nonprofit fundraising) from St. Mary's University of Minnesota. I am supposed to graduate in December of 2009. Hopefully!
If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, feel free to email me at zeamer@unlvnewman.com.
Morgan Bird - bird@unlvnewman.com
Evangelization Peer Minister & Music Coordinator
"My door is always open, so stop by any time you like! And keep coming to Mass and Newman Center events - the time you spend in college goes by very fast, but the connections you make are invaluable."Daniela Carrasco - carrasco@unlvnewman.com
Development Assistant
"Kalila invited me the newbie night, and I really enjoyed it. Everyone was super nice, and I enjoyed the relaxing environment."Vanessa Hartz - hartz@unlvnewman.com
Advertising & PR Intern
"I served at St. Thomas More for five years as a core member/leader for the teens. I was running dry in my own spiritual life and the Newman Center has provided ways for me to experience my faith with a warm and welcoming community."Kalila Magbanua-Stein - kalila@unlvnewman.com
Social Justice & Social Events Peer Minister
"Being a part of the Newman Community is so much fun and the best way to serve God in our everyday lives. Our community is our 2nd family and we're thrilled for the new adventures to come with the new staff this year and many years to come." Angela Semana - semana@unlvnewman.com
Office Assistant
"Being involved at the Newman center has changed my life in a positive way. It is a lot of fun being involved with the activities that are held here. I feel that being here has brought me closer to God and I have became a much more spiritual person. Working here I am reminded daily of the blessings God has given me. I'm glad to be living my life in a positive and productive environment with wonderful people." Taylor Tokunaga - tokunaga@unlvnewman.com
Office Assistant
"When I came to mass for my first Sunday in Vegas, the first person I talked to was Fr. Albert who immediately noticed I was wearing a little piece from home, my flower in my hair. The next week I didn't wear a flower, and even before saying hi, father asked, "Taylor, where is your flower?!" That alone made me smile, and father gave me a big hug. Since then I have been coming to mass...and never forgetting to wear a flower."