Judith Herb College of Arts, Social Sciences and Education

College Menu

Center for Religious Understanding

Contact Us

University Hall #4700
Mail Stop 966
419.530.6190
Fax:419.530.6189
cfru@utoledo.edu
Teri Garcia
Administrative Assistant for the Center for Religious Understanding
419.530.6190.

Center for Religious Understanding

The mission of the Center for Religious Understanding at the University of Toledo is to promote a deeper understanding of religion on campus, in the greater Toledo region, in the nation and in the world.

Objectives and Programs

We accomplish our mission through four objectives, and past/present programs that realize them: 

Creative education about religion

We provide creative education about religion through our signature annual lecture series. The series offers intellectually stimulating lectures by UT scholars and national experts on Jewish, Catholic, Muslim and Eastern religious thought. The lectures are always free and open to the public, and placed on WGTE's Knowledge Stream website whenever possible.

  • The Annual Philip Markowicz Lecture in Judaism and Jewish Biblical Studies, Dr. Yonatan Miller, Director, CFRU
  • The Annual Murray/Bacik Lecture in Catholic Studies, Dr. Peter Feldmeier
  • The Annual Imam Khattab Lecture in Islamic Studies, Dr. Ovamir Anjum

Multifaith dialogue 

We lead a multi faith dialogue between both students and members of the wider community through our:

  • Small-Group Multifaith Cafe Forums for UToledo students from different perspectives about religion to talk firsthand on a regular basis. There is nothing like real relationships to build real understanding. 
  • Annual Jewish-Christian-Muslim (Abrahamic) Dialogue, to discuss topics of common interest to these traditions, from the basis of their shared history and monotheistic theology.

UToledo Service Learning: A Multifaith Experience

A team of students and community members from different perspectives on religion together provide and after-school program and college awareness for at-risk youth grades K-8 at a Toledo Public School. Cosponsored with Career Services, the UToledo College of Health and Human Service and the Interfaith Center.

National-level and locally-engaged research

We see research as a long-term gift that can transform assumptions and lives.

Dean's Office
University Hall
Third Floor, Room 3160
Mail Stop 906
419.530.2164
Undergraduate Admission
enroll@utoledo.edu
419.530.8888 (call)
419.329.4567 (text)
2801 W. Bancroft Street
Toledo, OH 43606
Graduate Admission
graduateonlineapplication@utoledo.edu
419.530.GRAD (4723), Option 1
Stranahan Hall, Room 1048
2801 W. Bancroft, MS 933
Toledo, OH 43606
Last Updated: 6/30/25