USD Plaza Named After ‘Trailblazer’ Sister Thea Bowman

The plaza between Copley Library and the Learning Commons will henceforth be known as Sister Thea Bowman Plaza. The plaza was formally named in honor of Bowman during a naming ceremony held in the Learning Commons Town Square on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Thea Bowman, a member of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, was a prominent Black Catholic teacher, musician, liturgist and scholar who made major contributions to the Catholic Church on behalf of African Americans. During her life, she challenged the church to accept her as fully Black and fully Catholic.

The naming ceremony featured several speakers and was emceed by Kaia Morrison, a fourth-year computer science major and president of the USD Black Student Union. 

“I can’t think of any other word to say about her story than ‘amazing’,” said Morrison, looking out passionately to members of the USD community gathered in the space on a rainy afternoon. “The work that she did within her own community and the advocacy that she had within the Catholic church throughout her life was absolutely amazing.”

Bowman called for reconciliation and full inclusion of African Americans within the Catholic Church, said Rev. Dr. Michele Watkins, PhD, assistant professor of Theology and Religious Studies. 

“Sister Thea Bowman was a prophetic spirit — she walked as a companion with Christ. She was a freedom fighter,” said Watkins, who concluded her remarks by offering a prayer. 

“Our whole family at USD, when we come through this plaza, let our hearts be strangely warmed. Let us be motivated to pursue unity and love as one regardless of orientation, creed or tradition. Give us holy boldness so that we may be catalysts for social transformation in all that is good, beautiful, noble and great.” 

Sister Bowman was the best kind of teacher — one who teaches out of love for her students, meets them where they’re at, and pushes them to grow, said Karen Teel, PhD, professor of Theology and Religious Studies. 

“She saw the Church with total clarity, both as it was and as it should be and she related to everyone she met as though they already were what we should be even though she was constantly reminding us of how much further we still need to go,” said Teel. “I think that’s a really beautiful vision for our community here at USD, to see things as they are, to love the people in front of us right now and to joyfully move forward together building our churches, communities and world as we know they should be — as Sister Thea saw them.” 

Bowman is one of six Black saints-in-waiting in the United States, said Vice President of Mission Integration Michael Lovette-Colyer, PhD.

“There is a wonderful African proverb that whenever we say the name of someone who has passed on, they’re still with us,” Lovette-Colyer said. “Having her name on this plaza, a place where students and faculty will know that they are gathering in her name, will keep her life, her legacy, her inspiration alive for generations to come.” 

The renaming of the plaza was first announced by USD President James T. Harris, DEd, during the 2022 Black Catholic Theological Symposium held in the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice Theatre on Oct. 6. Bowman was a member of the organization and was present at the first symposium in Baltimore in 1978. 

“When I made the announcement, I don’t think I’ve heard such a joyful response in my career — there were tears of joy that we were going to make this step as a university,” recalled Harris while speaking at the naming ceremony. “We came to the conclusion given her background and her commitment that it would be most appropriate to name this space for her. It’s such a beautiful and peaceful gathering place. This is a day we will all remember.”  

— Story and photos by Matthew Piechalak