Röpke-Wojtyła Fellowship

“If we walk in the light, as God is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.”
1 John 1:7

The Röpke-Wojtyła Fellowship is a program hosted by The Catholic University of America for Catholic undergraduate seniors from any institution across the United States. The purpose of the program is to educate future Catholic intellectuals and business leaders in the study of market order and social thought — and in particular Catholic social thought as it compares to more secular scholarship. Throughout the year, the fellows will discuss topics in history, philosophy, political economy, politics, and sociology. 

The Röpke-Wojtyła Fellowship is a call on young Catholics to explore important questions of social philosophy, such as the makings of a good society, the civilizing aspect of commerce, and the tensions between markets and community. The Fellowship also aims to encourage the next generation to critically engage intellectual traditions and authors they might not otherwise encounter during their studies.  These include the Church Fathers on trade, the medieval debates on commerce and the economy, the origins of property, the impact of labor value theory on social movements, the critiques of political economy, Wilhelm Röpke’s assessment of the social framework for the market order, and Karol Wojtyła’s philosophy of the human person are some examples of the scholarship this Fellowship explores. 

Röpke-Wojtyła Fellowships are awarded to outstanding senior level undergraduate students majoring in a variety of disciplines. Fellows participate in four colloquia throughout the year. At all these events, students interact with exceptional and inspiring scholars.


Röpke-Wojtyła Fellows receive a stipend of $1,500.

Additionally, airfare, lodging, and most meals for the colloquia are covered.

If you would like to support the Fellowship and help form the next generation of Catholic scholars and leaders, please donate here.

We gratefully acknowledge Mrs. Carlyse Ciocca as patronness of this year’s cohort.

Carlyse Ciocca (née Franzia) comes from a storied family of wine entrepreneurs and has continued that legacy alongside her late husband, Art Ciocca. The couple met shortly after Art led a leveraged buyout of Coca-Cola’s winemaking operations in 1981. Having served as head of marketing for the division, Art decided to purchase the business when Coca-Cola chose to divest it.
 
Not long after, he was introduced to Carlyse Franzia, whose family had founded one of the wineries central to the Coca-Cola operation — Franzia Wines. Eight months later, the two married, beginning a lifelong partnership that combined business vision and family values. As The Wine Group grew under Art’s leadership to become the second-largest wine producer in the world by volume, Carlyse supported both the company’s growth and the Cioccas’ shared philanthropic endeavors.
Together, Carlyse and Art established the Ciocca Center for Principled Entrepreneurship at The Catholic University of America, reflecting their deep commitment to ethical business and education. Carlyse continues this work as president and co-trustee of the Arthur and Carlyse Ciocca Charitable Foundation, which promotes entrepreneurship and provides scholarships to promising young leaders with entrepreneurial potential.

Carlyse’s entrepreneurial spirit runs deep. She is the granddaughter of Teresa Franzia, the intrepid Italian immigrant who, in 1933, borrowed $10,000 to transform her family’s grape and cherry farm into a full-scale winery. 

Carlyse earned her degree in Business Administration from Santa Clara University in 1977. Through her leadership and philanthropy, she continues to honor both her family’s entrepreneurial heritage and the lasting legacy she built with her husband, Art.

how to apply

Applications are closed for the 2025-2026 cohort

Dr. Frederic Sautet, a co-founder of the Ciocca Center and an Associate Professor in the Busch School of Business directs RWF. Please contact him at sautet@cua.edu for general questions about the program.

FELLOWS
THROUGH THE YEARS

Explore the remarkable Röpke-Wojtyła Fellows who have shaped this program throughout the years.

Edited
Volumes

Discover the thought-provoking Edited Volumes, a collection of essays showcasing the insights and contributions of the Röpke-Wojtyła Fellowship.

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