COURTESY PHOTO

Father Robert Hater, left, receives the Celebration of Teaching Award from Father Jeffrey M. Kemper, dean of the Athenaeum.

Father Robert Hater earns teaching award

ARCHDIOCESE - Father Robert J. Hater, Ph.D., who has taught philosophy and theology at the Athenaeum since 1974, was honored at graduation ceremonies October 21 with the Athenaeum's Celebration of Teaching Award.

Father Hater presently holds a faculty position as professor of pastoral and systematic theology. His current courses focus on the theology of ministry, evangelization and various aspects of parish ministry.

Father Hater also was recognized with other Celebration of Teaching honorees by the Greater Cincinnati Consortium of Colleges and Universities (GCCCU) at ceremonies earlier this month at Xavier University's Cintas Center.

"It is a pleasure to recognize the hard work and love for teaching that is exemplified in Father Bob Hater," said Father Edward P. Smith, president/rector of the Athenaeum. "He has published, taught, preached, edited and worked on countless committees in order to help make the beauty of evangelization known to both his students and the wider Catholic community. We are fortunate to have him on our faculty, and I am very happy that he receives this award this year."

During his tenure at the Athenaeum, Father Hater was instrumental in the establishment of the Lay Pastoral Ministry Program.

"Father Hater was chosen for this award in light of his dedication to the needs of students, his clear and insightful mode of presentation and his continuous work to develop courses to best enable Athenaeum students to minister to the needs of those they serve," said Father Jeffrey Kemper, dean of the Athenaeum.

Father Hater is a well-known author and lecturer, especially in the areas of parish ministry and Christian life. His latest books are titled: Tell Me a Story: The Role of Narrative in the Faith Life of Catholics and When a Catholic Marries a Non-Catholic, for which he won a book award from the Catholic Press Association in May.