Fr. John Putka, S.M. is a Marianist priest whose mentor as a political scientist was Brother Al Rose, S.M., the legendary founder of the Political Science program at the University of Dayton. He earned his S.T.B. from University of Fribourg (Switzerland) in 1967, his M.A. in Historical theology from St. Louis University in 1969, and his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Cincinnati in 1979. Immediately prior to coming to UD, Father John taught at Moeller HS. Fr. John is the Director of the Congressional Internship Program, and teaches classes in American political systems, legislative politics, and issues of church and state in U.S. politics. He forms a team with Professor Allen Sultan of the School of Law in teaching LAW 762, a course that explores the role of Natural Law in the interpretation and practice of the law in our country. His research interests include: American political institutions (especially Congress and the judiciary), issues of church and state in U.S. politics and political theory. He has served as Guest Chaplin for both the U.S. House and Senate and is asked to give numerous talks and speeches around the country and has been widely quoted in the national media on various political races and events. Last year he appeared as a guest on The O’Reilly Factor on FOX.