Father Philip, a Benedictine monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, received a Catholic Press Association Award for his first book, Renewed Each Morning: Reflections from the Rocking Chair. A member of the Education Department faculty at Saint Vincent College, he is a doctoral student in special education at West Virginia University and holds a post-graduate certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis from the Pennsylvania State University, and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. A veteran teacher, Father Philip holds current Pennsylvania Teaching Certifications in the areas of Early Childhood Education; Elementary Education; Secondary Education; Business, Computers and Technology Education; and Special Education. Additionally, he is certified as a Reading Specialist in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Saint Vincent College is a coeducational, Catholic, liberal arts college, located on 200 acres in Unity Township near Latrobe. The campus includes a Monastery of Benedictine monks, founded in 1846, a Parish, College and Seminary. The Monastery Run Improvement Project Wetlands is located next to a Gristmill built and operated by the monks since 1846. Also nearby is the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve, a 60-acre natural area which features trails, wetlands and a learning center.