Romanian Fulbright Scholar Finds a Home in Baylor’s Honors College

A semester at Baylor’s Honors College is helping Daniela (Denise) Vasiliu, Ph.D., a Fulbright Visiting Scholar from Romania, bring new ideas about interdisciplinary education and Christian scholarship back to students in Eastern Europe.

Vasiliu came to Baylor this spring under the sponsorship of Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives Scott Moore, Ph.D. During her time in Waco, she has spent her days reading, writing and participating in the life of the Great Texts program while researching the thought of Iris Murdoch and the relationship between literature, philosophy and theology.

“We don’t have something like this in Romania,” Vasiliu said. “I am trying to learn as much as possible while I am here because this kind of program is deeply needed back home. It forms students through serious reading, meaningful discussion and the pursuit of truth together. I would love to see more opportunities like this for students in our part of the world.”

Vasiliu teaches in the philosophy department at Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, one of Romania’s oldest and most respected public universities. Her academic path began during a pivotal moment in her country’s history. She became a Christian in 1989, just before communism fell in Romania, and soon discovered a calling that would unite faith, scholarship and teaching.

As a student of English literature, she noticed how many great works were shaped by biblical themes and references that had become unfamiliar after decades of communist rule.

“In the liberal arts, we need the Bible in order to understand many key ideas, the history of ideas and the literature itself,” Vasiliu said. “Without that foundation, so much meaning can be missed. Many texts cannot be fully understood if we have lost the language and imagination that shaped them.”

That insight eventually led her to doctoral work on C. S. Lewis, whose writings continue to shape her scholarship today.

“C.S. Lewis's work opens up noble doors to enter into the realm of consistent dialogues between literature, philosophy and theology in the academic context of post-communist countries, engaging Christianity in a more culturally relevant way,” she said. “Through Lewis, we can discuss imagination, suffering, meaning, virtue, joy and truth. He opens conversations that matter, especially with students who may not begin with theological questions but are deeply interested in human questions.”

In Romania, Vasiliu also helps lead the Agora Christi Foundation and the C.S. Lewis & Kindred Spirits Society for Romania and Central and Eastern Europe, which encourages thoughtful Christian scholarship and interdisciplinary dialogue in post-communist university settings. She also helps organize a recurring interdisciplinary conference that brings together scholars from literature, theology, philosophy, history, psychology, law, and the arts to explore enduring questions of truth, meaning and human flourishing.

“We are trying to create a space where serious academic dialogue can happen across disciplines,” Vasiliu said. “For many students and young scholars, it becomes an invitation to think more deeply about faith, culture, and the great questions of life.”

Her road to Baylor began through a network of scholars who saw a natural connection between her work and Moore’s expertise. During a visit with former provost and emeritus distinguished professor of literature and the humanities, David Lyle Jeffrey, Ph.D., Jeffrey encouraged her Fulbright plans and later connected her with Moore. 

At Baylor, Vasiliu has attended courses taught by Moore and Associate Professor of Philosophy Robert Garcia, Ph.D., experiences she says have been as meaningful as her own research.

“The way they discuss books, the way they ask questions, the way they engage difficult issues, it is fascinating,” she said. “I am learning not only content, but also another way of teaching and another way of forming students. There is seriousness here, but also kindness and generosity. That combination creates an atmosphere where students can really grow.”

Moore said the feeling has been mutual.

“Dr. Vasiliu is a remarkable scholar who brings both depth and breadth to her work,” Moore said. “I have learned so much from our conversations, and her rich life experience and faith in Christ continues to inspire my own work. It has been both a privilege and a pleasure to have her studying at Baylor this year.”

As her semester comes to a close, Vasiliu hopes the relationships formed at Baylor are only the beginning.

“There is so much to learn here, and so much that could bless students in our part of the world,” she said. “I hope this is not the end of the story, but the beginning of something more. I would love to continue building bridges between Baylor and scholars in Eastern Europe.”