 Mark was ordained to the diaconate in 2001, the first class of Deacons in the Diocese of Alabama in over one hundred years. He is Professor and Chair of the Sociology Department at UAB. The department offers undergraduate degrees in sociology and social psychology, and a doctorate in medical sociology. His research and teaching focuses on the disadvantaged, their health, the nature of their communities, and the role that society’s play in promoting disadvantage. He is especially interested in how the social capital possessed by the poor and by those who participate in churches can be used to help the disadvantaged get by and get ahead. He’s published 5 books and over 60 articles in professional journals dealing with these issues. These days you might just find him writing a sermon almost as often as he is writing an article.
He grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, the oldest of 6 children. Educated by nuns and priests in the parochial schools, he was accepted into Duns Scotus Seminary, (Franciscan order) just a few weeks after his later-to-be wife (Mary Sue), literally skated into his life at a high school dance. In spite of what he thought had been a life-long call to the priesthood, Mary Sue turned his head and so he turned down the Franciscans and attended the University of Cincinnati instead. After graduating they married and Mark went back to UC, earning his PhD in 1975, while Mary Sue taught 3rd grade in an inner city school.
Before coming to UAB in 1980, Mark and Mary Sue lived in Albany, New York, where he taught in the Sociology Department at SUNY, while Mary Sue stayed home with the babies. Tiring of what seemed like endless winters, they gave up their sleds, snow shovels, and tire chains, and moved to the deep south where they raised 3 great kids: Brian, a biologist at Southern research, Jason a clinical psychologist at Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, and Elise, merchandise manager for Urban Outfitters. Mary Sue taught in the Jefferson County Schools for 15 years before retiring.
They have four beautiful grandkids: Harmony, 15; Blaine and Samantha 6, and Ben 2. They love to travel and cook, although they find little time to do it these days. |
