Mel Piehl is professor of Humanities and History at Valparaiso University. He served as Distinguished Visiting Professor of Catholic Studies at the University of Dayton in 2001-2002 and as Visiting Scholar in Catholic Studies at Seattle University in 2013-2014. Dr. Piehl's scholarly interests center on American intellectual and religious history, with particular emphasis on American Catholic history and the relationship between religion and social thought. His book, BREAKING BREAD: THE CATHOLIC SOCIAL WORKER AND THE ORIGIN OF CATHOLIC RADICALISM IN AMERICA, was a finalist for the Robert Kennedy National Book Award. In addition, Dr. Piehl has written numerous articles on American Catholicism and American religion and social thought. He received his Ph.D. from Stanford University.
