John Neary joined the St. Norbert faculty as a professor of English. He has worked in residential life at a number of colleges, and continued a longtime commitment to the integration of living and learning. John served on numerous committees and was Chair of the Division of Humanities & Fine Arts. His scholarly interests were focused on religion and literature, the works of James Joyce, and themes of love and relationship. He has written two books: "Something and Nothingness: The Fiction of John Updike and John Fowles" and "Like and Unlike God: Religious Imaginations in Modern and Contemporary Fiction." For his scholarship, teaching, and exceptional mentorship, John recieved the 2017 Collegium Visionary Award, embodying the Collegium ideal. Likewise, John was recognized for his enrichment in the Saint Norbert College community through big, public contributions, and countless small interactions. In 2000 he co-authored a two million dollar Lilly Endowment grant that enabled the college to pursue creative means to help students think about their life’s purpose, and to help the College reflect on its own purpose in the process. These contributions were acknowledged when he was honored with The Founder’s Award, “given to employees and students of the college in recognition of their contributions to the Norbertine spirit and tradition on campus.” In 2018, in recognition of all the qualities of teaching, scholarship and service, John was awarded Professro Emeritus at St. Nobert College.

Biographical Note written by Joe Dyal, 2019.