b'PHOTOS BY VICTOR ALMANSPECIAL GIFTOpen-minded approach helps Catholic scholar connect with students at USC. By Dave LueckingA fter being onlined by COVID-19, theUniversity of Southern California (USC) resumed in-person classes for the 2021-22academic year, which meant the return of a delight-ful tradition for Marianist Father James Heft.In lieu of a final classroom session this past semester,Fr. Heft, a professor of religion at USC, hosted studentsat his community residence in nearby University Park,just as he had done for his classes before the pandemic. It was just a nice evening, said Fr. Heft, who inearly December welcomed students from his Religions& Violence course. They gathered in the residenceliving room, first, for a meal prepared by MarianistBrother David Murphy and Marianist Father KennethTemplin, then for a final discussion and evaluationof the class.Fr. Hefts dinner/class was a refreshing change ofpace after four months of classroom study.It was really fun; I loved it, said Nadia Makmak,one among 12 students in the seminara formatthat features small class sizes. I really enjoyed theintimacy of the class this year.Opposite page: Marianist Father James Heft makes a point in thefinal discussion for his Religion & Violence class.12 Call 1.800.348.4732'