History
Guide to the Archives of the National Association of College and University Chaplains and Directors of Religious Life (NACUC) http://webtext.library.yale.edu/xml2html/divinity.167.con.html
Fifty Years of Chaplaincy
National Association of College and University Chaplains, 1948-1998
A Brief History, written for NACUC’s 50th anniversary, held at Yale University, June 1998
By Donovan Hull, 1998, with subsequent editorial updates by Historians Cynthia Terry, 2005, and K James (Jim) Davis, 2010
Introduction
The Decade of the 1960's
The Decade of the 1970's
The Decade of the 1980's
The Decade of the 1990's
A Look Ahead >>>>
The Decade of the 2000's
The Decade of the 2000's (2010 Edition)
Introduction
Professor Clarence Shedd of Yale Divinity School wrote Dr. Sidney Lovett, chaplain of Yale University, a simple letter in the fall of 1947 suggesting they get together for lunch to discuss an idea he had. It was a plan that was shaping up in his mind, for Yale to host a conference of about 40 chaplains and directors of student religious life of colleges and universities. It would be a gathering of men and women serving both in men's and women's colleges, and in co-educational institutions. He hoped that this selected group might be fairly widely distributed and representative of different types of colleges across the country. He suggested Spring break, 1948 as the time for this informal conference. Professor Shedd had talked with eight or ten chaplains and found great interest in the possibility. He had also received a special grant from the Walter Teagle Foundation to be used in ways that would further the national service of Yale in the field of religion in higher education. He also suggested, and many would say wisely so, that the conference should be "leisurely and not too heavily loaded with program, offering opportunity for leisurely, personal conferences, or for conferences of small groups." Hospitality would be provided by Yale (with the help of the Teagle grant money). Chaplain Lovett kept the luncheon appointment with Professor Shedd and he enthusiastically endorsed Shedd's plan. The first gathering took place in March of 1948 at Yale Divinity School and Yale University. There were 84 occupants of the "barracks" dormitory (resembling the accommodations at some of the places where NACUC has met?) at the Spring conference and it was agreed that another gathering should occur the next year at Northwestern. The conference actually was held at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Professor Shedd referred to chaplains as "men" because all those whom he knew were men; yet he urged that the first gathering be inclusive. Charles Noble, chaplain of Syracuse, must have been one of those 84 occupants of the "barracks" that March, because he was chosen as the first President of the Association. He was followed in successive years by chaplains from Rutgers, Fisk, and Yale who served as Presidents. The variety of college chaplaincies involved is reflected in the institutions of the elected Presidents during the 1950's: Hampton Institute, Virginia Institute, Queen's University, Toronto, Iowa State Teachers' College, Brown University, The U.S. Military Academy and Vassar. Certainly not an Ivy-league only list! All were male, and most were white although some were African American. All were Protestant Christian. Unfortunately information about the themes of programs in the 1950's is not available for those years. However, notes from former president Bradford Abernethy of Rutgers indicate the locations and dates as follows: Chatham College, Pittsburgh (April 11-13, 1950); Hampton Institute (April 17-19, 1951); Earlham College (April 1-3, 1952); Princeton University (April 7-9, 1953); Howard University (April 20-22, 1954); University of Michigan (April 29-May 2, 1957); Yale University (April 14-17, 1958); Chatham College (March 30- April 2, 1959). In addition to President Noble, Abernethy, Faulkner, Lovett, E. Miller, Gandy, Laverty, Bernhard, Rickard, Bean, Bonthius and Darrah served as presidents in the first twelve years.The Decade of the 1960's
Themes of conferences held in the 1960's ranged from: "Styles of Salvation" to "The Future of the American College Chaplaincy." The first two conference of the ‘60’s were held at Amherst College, April 25-28, and Southern Methodist University, April 10-13, 1961, respectively. Although most annual meetings were held in the east (Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New York, and Massachusetts), there were forays into the Midwest and West (Colorado, Illinois and California). The pendulum of conference topics swung from the personal and professional themes such as, the "Chaplain's Gospel, Faith and Unfaith" and "His" Discipline, to prophetic and "secular" themes such as "The Humanization of the World in Our Day" and "The Nature of Revolution." Some attention was paid to the university or college itself with themes such as "Problems of Authority and Identity in the University," and "The Secular Campus and the Christian Presence." Leadership came from within the association (Chaplains Maitland, Reckard, and Gandy, for example) as well as from the larger religious and cultural community (Paul Lehman, Franklin Littell, Sam Proctor, Fannie Lou Hamer, Paul Goodman, Krister Stendahl, Davie Napier, Dan Berrigan, and Charles McCoy). Chaplains were very much involved in the Civil Rights movement. For example, in response to the racist burning of the Antioch Baptist Church in Ripley, Mississippi, Paul Rahmeier, chaplain at Oberlin and President of NACUC, took a group of Oberlin students to Ripley and helped rebuild the Antioch Church during Christmas vacation. Professor Shedd's desire for leisurely, personal conferences at the annual meeting became a trademark of NACUC. Themes, programs and speakers were often just the skeletal structure of the meeting. It was in the informal exchanges, the "New Chaplains" meetings, or in the "How is it with your soul?" sessions that the flesh, blood and spirit of the body was realized. To this day there is a struggle between programming and "free time" in NACUC gatherings with the "night out on the town" often the highlight of the few days members are together. There also have been "conferences of small groups"-- caucus groups, denominational groupings, "issue" groups and "resolution writing" groups taking place. For many years the perfecting of position papers to be sent to political and religious decision makers was a vital part of annual gatherings. Recently the care and feeding of the souls of chaplains has taken precedence over such prophetically inspired groups. Presidents serving during the 1960's (in addition to Rahmeier) included: Beaven, Lee, Dunlop, Havice, Kalbfleisch, Crawford, Maitland, Scott and Evans.
The Decade of the 1970's
As the opposition to the War in Vietnam grew and campuses became anti-war enclaves and centers of anti-establishment positions, NACUC'S attention turned toward the "Nature of Revolution" and the "Serendipity in Revolution." When Gordon Verplank, the chaplain at Claremont, was subpoenaed by a California court, demanding that he reveal the names of those he had counseled as a draft counselor, colleagues in NACUC came to his defense. When the judge ruled that confidentiality must be maintained in the counseling relationship and the subpoena was cancelled, Verplank thanked NACUC and his colleagues in the association for their support. NACUC's 25th anniversary conference was held at Stephens College in 1972, and was deemed "a rousing success" by Newsletter Editor Don Shockley. Perhaps it was because there was "no theme" for the conference! Speakers included Sam Keen, Brother David Steindl-Rast, Bill Coffin and Dan Germann. Shockley wrote about the conference, "On the political front this conference was more active than those in recent years. There were late night sessions in which numerous issues were discussed. Resolutions on the war and busing were passed and sent to Nixon, Laird, Fulbright and the Democratic presidential hopefuls. A statement on amnesty was called to the attention of the conference…a straw vote on the presidency indicated that five out of six delegates at the conference would vote for McGovern." In 1973 Chaplain Hector Grant hosted the association at Huston-Tillotson, a predominantly black college in Austin, Texas. Richard Gelwick, Rabbi Laurence Lauer, C. Eric Lincoln, and Father Dan Berrigan were speakers on the theme, "Race, Resistance and Reconciliation." It was an enlightening experience for many of the white chaplains to spend time on the campus of Huston-Tillotson.
For several years in the 1970's, NACUC joined with other campus religious groups for conferences: With ACURA at Michigan in 1974, and again at Yale in 1975 and at N. Carolina State in 1976. That collaboration shaped the conference themes of "Re-Visioning a Multicultural World," "Strangers in an Alien Land," and "To Know One Another, To Learn, To Share, To be the Ministers of the New Age." Speakers in 1974 included Al Carmines, Margaret Mead, Irving Greenburg and Robben Fleming; in 1975 leaders were Michael Wyschograd, Valerie Russell, Henri Nouwen, and William Sloan Coffin (a perennial with NACUC). In Raleigh in 1976, Donald Shriver, Roland Murphy, Carter Heywood, Fred Herzog and A.K. Lowenstein addressed the conference. In 1977, NACUC shared in the Third Ecumenical Campus Ministry Conference at Berea, Kentucky. The theme was "Doing Theology, Living the Questions," with presentations by Harry and Ann Smith, Valerie Russell, James Ackerman, Kathy Held Green, Arthur Green, Ivan Salmon Campbell, George Simons. It was an exciting ecumenical conference, and the cooperative nature of Berea College was impressive. The McLean Family Singers provided a memorable experience as they entertained conference people on the campus grounds. NACUC went west in 1978 for a NACUC-only conference at U.S.C in Los Angeles. "The Impact of the Media on Education" was the theme and a relatively small group of NACUC'ers heard excellent presentations by Ray Bradbury, Tom Bradley, John Orr and Joseph Hough, Jr. NACUC ended the decade of the '70's with an April conference on "Voices in Our Midst" at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota. A surprise "Alberta Clipper" with snow and a wind chill in the 20's greeted conference goers on the second day of the conference. But those attending were warmed by presentations by Vine Deloria, James Nelson, Patricia Wilson-Kastner and Roland Murphy. The "voices" were indeed diverse and provocative. Lynn Fitch of the University of Montana was elected as the first woman President of NACUC. Although Clarence Shedd might have been surprised at the obsolescence of the word "men" in his vision for NACUC, there is evidence that he would have heartily approved. During the 1970's a new component of the annual meetings was the presentation of position papers by active chaplains from diverse campus settings, with responses by colleagues and dialogue on topics ranging from Higher Education issues, to modes of ministry, to personal statements about vocation. Many of these were published and the development of the journal, "Ailanthus", ensued. Professional concerns were addressed during this decade through the publishing of "Guidelines and Standards for Chaplaincy," which was circulated to all college Presidents. Rabbi Yechiael Lander, Director, B’nai B’rith Hillel Foundation at Smith College and a long-time leader in NACUC (who would serve as President of the association in 1981-1982), was designated as chair of Professional Relations. He was instrumental in supporting chaplains when administrators failed to respect NACUC's professional standards. In addition, Lander and the Professional Relations Committee successfully led the association to see the commonality of the rationale or purposes of the Association and the role and status of the chaplain as “consistent with the kind of religious pluralism found in the interests and needs of a particular university community.” In addition to Fitch, Chaplains Bauman, Bremer, Byers, Unsworth, Leslie, Haas, Nusbaum, Wettstein and Young served as presidents of the association during the 1970's.
The Decade of the 1980's
The 1980 NACUC conference was held in conjunction with the 4th Ecumenical Campus Ministry Conference at Colorado Women’s College in Denver whose theme was “A Piece of the Rock and Social Justice: Agendas for the 80’s in Campus Ministry”. The NACUC sessions addressed the theme, “Facing the 80’s: Challenges and Opportunities”. Arnold Wolf, Alice Gallin and Sister Mary Paul were the resource people for our conference. At this conference the Tree of Life symbol was adopted by NACUC with references to Daniel 4:111-12 and Revelations 22:2.
In 1981 we returned to the East Coast and met at Boston University. The conference theme was “Higher Education and Ministry in the 80’s”. Speakers were Harvey Cox, John Silber, Paul Van Buren, Sr. Mary Hennessey, Sharon Parks, and Zalman Schachter, who taught conferees to experience spirituality through dance.
The 4H Center in Washington, D.C. was the site of the 1982 conference. Speakers were James Forbes, Monica Hellwig, Reuven Kimelman, Birch Bayh, Jr. and Robert Blaemire. The conference theme, “Wellsprings of Renewal: Spiritual Depth and Prophetic Boundaries”, inspired the Executive Committee to draft and send a letter to the Director of the 4H Center, objecting to the reported denial of the Center to allow a gay and lesbian organization to meet there for their conference. The letter stated that NACUC would not return unless the 4H Center changed its policy of discrimination against allowing gay and lesbian organizations to meet there.
A need for peace, Shalom, was at the heart of the gathering at the Dominican Retreat House in Philadelphia’s Elkins Park in 1983. "Shalom (Peace and Turbulence)" Within and Without" was considered by Douglas Steere, Arthur Green and again, NACUC's faithful guru, William Coffin. During the Coffin presentation the great irony of meeting in a marble lined facility as issues of peace and justice were the topics of the conference was strongly noted!
Perhaps the experience of contending with snow two of the previous three years led the association to go to Texas and the Briarwood Retreat Center near Ft. Worth for the 1984 meeting, where "The Future of Liberal Education: Faith, Learning and Social Policy" was discussed. Speakers included Rabbi Samuel Karff, Harry Smith, Louise Cowan and Samuel Dubois Cook. The “night on the town” included a visit to Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth for lots of line dancing, led by guest lecturer Harry Smith!
The Association returned to the east in 1985 and 1986, meeting at Convent Station in New Jersey where the rich resources of New York City were drawn upon, in considering the themes of "The Arts as Prophetic Vision" and "Campus Pluralism and Interfaith Integrity." Those leading us included Al Carmines, Mary Francis Judge, Charles Ketcham, Lawrence Langer; also Jane Redmont, William Willimon, Max Tickton, Howard Moody and Peter Meehan. As with many other conferences, trips into the city-to Greenwich Village and the United Nations specifically, enhanced the value of the conference experience. In 1987 NACUC accepted the invitation of Rollins College to come south and enjoy a sunny climate, grilled shark fingers and the hospitality of Arnold Wettstein and John Langfitt. Despite a surprisingly cold reception (weather-wise), the conference warmed up to the topic of "Jewish-Christian Reality in the University: Discerning the Way" with Alice Eckardt, John Pawlikowski and Marc Tannenbaun leading the association's thinking. In 1988 NACUC went west again (to warm up after Florida?), to the Mercy Center near San Francisco and a consideration of the theme, "Truth-Telling in the University." Jacob Neusner, Arthur Zannoni, and Marjorie Suchocki provided the stimulation for considering the nature of truth in the university. Again a trip to the Glide Foundation and conversations with people from that church greatly added to the value of the conference. The decade of the 80's ended with a return to the south-to Simpsonwood Conference Center near Atlanta. For the first time the word "liberation" appeared in the conference titles as the theme, "Breaking Free: Liberation and Ministry in Higher Education" was presented. Marc Ellis, Lou McNeil, Rebecca Chopp, and Jim Laney spoke with those attending. Throughout the decade of the 80's there was a concerted attempt by NACUC leaders to be inclusive in organization, in the approach to conference planning and in programming. Efforts were made to keep before NACUC, perspectives of the Protestant, Catholic and Jewish faith traditions. A balance was sought in terms of women and men speakers, and Bobbi Patterson was elected President in 1987. There was also a concern in the decade to relate collegially with other campus ministry and religious groups working on campus. Representatives from chaplains' groups from other countries helped the group to continue to think globally, and there were fruitful exchanges between American chaplains and European chaplains. It is fitting that the last NACUC president of the decade of the 80's, James Stuart, went to the University of Canterbury in New Zealand on an exchange during the year of his presidency! Leading NACUC during the 1980's (in addition to Patterson and Stuart) were Bob Young, Yechiael Lander, Donovan Hull, David McDaniels, Jim Davis, Ted Linn, Bob Dewey and Cliff Cain.
The Decade of the 1990's
The decade was ushered in with a conference on the theme, "Humor and Healing in a Reconciling Community." Mel Gottlieb, David Ray Griffin, and Leontine Kelly were engaging leaders. Members returned to Mercy Center near San Francisco and again enjoyed the resources of the city by the Bay. Jewelnel Davis, then Chaplain of Carleton College, served as President. The 1991 conference was held at a retreat center near Baltimore and dealt with the theme, "From Hostility to Hospitality: Seeking the Common Good." Edwin Friedman, Jennifer Casolo, and Jim Wallis were leaders. Again, a day spent in Washington D.C. at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Howard University, and other centers of education and reconciliation helped bring the conference theme to life. The 1992 conference was in Nashville, Tennessee, at the Scarritt-Bennett Center and dealt with "Faces of Diversity." Walter Harrelson, Randall Falk, Jean Bethke Elshtain, Will Campbell and Renita Weems provided leadership. Those attending found themselves wrestling with prejudice within. In 1993 NACUC convened at a new place (Albuquerque) and engaged in an immersion in Native American spirituality. Archie and Ramona Mason from Tulsa, Oklahoma, provided leadership. Field trips to a Native American historic village and to Native American centers in Albuquerque made for an enriching and enlightening experience. The Madonna Retreat and Conference Center was the conference base (as it will be again in 1999!) "A Time for Understanding: Gay and Lesbian Concerns in Ministry" was the theme of the 1994 Conference at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio. Gary Comstock, Rabbi Linda Holzman and Mark Bowman provided stimulating and controversial (for some) leadership. Those attending found the richness of the Jewish context for the meeting place, rewarding and many found new empathy for our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters. Again, this conference demonstrated the keen relevance of NACUC's program life. In 1995 the association returned for a third time to Mercy Center in California. Authenticity was a focal concern with Daniel O'Connor, Diana Akiyama and Deborah Streeter providing leadership. Long-time member and officer, Chaplain Larry Green of Berry College was elected a lifetime member. This was to be his last conference as his untimely death came in 1996. Hope and "marginality" were themes of the 1996 gathering in San Antonio, Texas. Meeting at the Mexican American Cultural Center, the conference was led by Rabbi Stahl, Sister Pearl Caesar and Jay Hillmer and Marilyn Hansfield who presented a dramatic portrayal of C.S. Lewis and Joy Davidman. A local Catholic church group led us in a lively "Mariachi Mass." 1997 saw the conference return to the Simpsonwood Conference and Retreat Center near Atlanta. The multi-faith community in which chaplains work was considered under the theme, "A Worthy Risk: Nurturing the Multi-faith Community." C. T. Vivian and Peter Laurence served as leaders. A student presentation by the Wellesley Multi-faith Council was stimulating. Special tribute needs to be paid to those chaplains who have worked to keep the multi-faith nature of the association alive and well: In particular, Yechiael Lander and Joshua Gutoff for the Jewish presence; and Alice Danaher, Daniel Nusbaum, Liz Carr and Sharon Kugler for the Roman Catholic presence. Without their devoted involvement the association well might have devolved into being simply a Protestant Christian Chaplains association. The historian would also like to recognize two colleagues who have faithfully served the association and who have traveled the longest distances to be involved: Jim Davis of the University of Puget Sound, and Charlie Wallace of Willamette. On behalf of the association thank you for your commitment.
A Look Ahead: (original text written in 1998)
- NACUC is well prepared to provide a valuable association for chaplains in the next half century. Just as Clarence Shedd's dream required fiscal support from a Foundation, so will such support be necessary for the survival of a national organization that is currently financed by members' dues and conference registration fees.
- While a number of chaplains recognize the great value of the national association, there are many chaplains who do not know what they are missing! A solid membership drive is needed. Moreover, it is important that the association not forget its elder members. Many veterans of the association have not been receiving mailings or any information from the association. Some of these are "Lifetime" or "Honorary" members for whom dues have been waived. They could become ambassadors and perhaps donors to the association if they were so approached.
- NACUC has been at its best when its support has been forthcoming for chaplains who are struggling or under siege in their local settings. Issues of salary, status and freedom of vocational expression need the support of a solid professional organization.
- The multi-faith nature of the association needs to be guarded and nurtured. The presence of an Islamic speaker at the Yale Conference this year may be a signal for expansion of our multi-faith constituency.
- Ways need to be found to worship together with integrity at our gatherings. What language and forms of worship will both respect our distinctive traditions as well as bring us together in meaningful observances and practices?
1st Update on NACUC History (2005)
A major highlight in the history of NACUC was the 50th Anniversary of NACUC. This anniversary conference was held at the site of the first NACUC gathering, Yale University, from June 27-July 2, 1998. The theme of the conference, “Holy Wilderness: Professional Religious Work on Campus”, was offered collaboratively with the National Campus Ministry Association. Plenary speakers included President Diana Chapman Walsh of Wellesley College and Nancy Ammerman. Numerous workshops were offered by colleagues in chaplaincy and campus ministry dealing with a wide variety of topics germane to ministry in higher education.
Following the 50th anniversary of NACUC, we returned to annual meetings on our own, in various sites around the country. 1999 found NACUC back in Albuquerque, looking at the theme, "The Beggar at the Gate: Wounds and Blessings in the Presence of God." Edwina Gately (a Roman Catholic lay woman) was our keynote speaker, and Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb facilitated our "Wrestling with the Text."
NACUC voted to become a sponsoring association for the 1st Global Conference for College Chaplains, to be held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 2000. This action was taken in response to an invitation from an international planning committee, organized by Johan Kijne of Denmark, the coordinator of the European Chaplains Conferences.
The 1990’s saw a significant addition to the association conferences. As members expressed the desire to hear colleagues present papers to share their practical experiences in chaplaincy, Chaplain Narratives were added and became a normative component of the professional conferences. Typically two colleagues were invited to make presentations, followed by discussion of the issues faced in their chaplaincies. This trend revisited the practice, to some degree, in the 1970’s of chaplains presenting position papers at the conferences.
In addition to Jewelnel Davis, presidents of the association in the 1990's were Gary Miller, Ron Flowers, Stuart Lord, Cynthia Jay Pendleton, John Colatch, Jan Fuller-Carruthers, Marty Cash-Burless, Sharon Kugler and Cynthia Terry.
The Decade of the 2000's
In 2000, we had a smaller gathering at Stony Point Conference Center (just north of New York City), in support of the Global Chaplain's Conference scheduled for Vancouver that summer. We looked at the idea of spiritual guidance, with Carol Ochs, author of Jewish Spiritual Guidance. We ventured into the city and met with faculty at the Jewish Theological Seminary.
Back to the Mercy Center outside of San Francisco in 2001, for a conference looking at "Engaging the Big Questions: College Chaplaincy in the New Millenium." Our keynote speaker was Sharon Daloz Parks (a former member of NACUC) and author of a number of books about faith development of college students, particularly their developmental task of "meaning-making." Chaplains at Stanford University also presented on their work.
We headed south again to Olive Branch, MS, to take advantage of historical Memphis in 2002, addressing the theme of "Redeeming the Dream: The Role of College Chaplaincy in Civil Rights & Race Relations." Dr. Calvin Butts was our keynote speaker. Highlights of the conference included a visit to the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, as well as good barbecue and blues. NACUC reaffirmed its support of the Global Conference for College Chaplains to be held in Brisbane, Australia, in 2004 and selected Jim Davis to represent NACUC on the planning committee.
In 2003, we were again on the west coast, at the Dumas Bay Centre outside of Seattle. Our topic was "Spiritual, but not Religious: Problem and Promise for Campus and Culture." Amanda Porterfield, David Gold, Philip Red Eagle, and Fritz and Vivienne Hull all contributed their insights and reflections, challenging us to do the same. Conferees were surprised and delighted to have warm sunny weather throughout the conference and enjoyed various settings in Seattle for the traditional Night on the Town.
We returned to the Southeast in 2004 and convened at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Atlanta. The secular setting prompted increasing concerns that accommodations and menu reflect our desire to be inclusive and cognizant of religious dietary needs. The theme was “A Mosaic of Faith: Practices and Purposes of Campus Religious Life.” Presentations were made by representatives from World Relief and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. These were followed by a keynote address about Christian-Muslim Relations by Ingrid Mattson and by Barbara Brown Taylor at the annual association banquet. While attending the global conference in Brisbane, Australia in July of 2004, several NACUC members gathered together to discuss possible official association membership in an International Association of College Chaplains.
Presidents during these first years of the new millennium were Sharon Kugler (1999-2000), Deanna Shorb, Laura Walters-Baskett, and Charles Wallace.
NACUC continued to work at what it means to be a multi-faith organization, particularly as we are gradually adding Muslim chaplains to our midst. Vice-president Ashley Cook has described NACUC as "a professional interfaith organization rather than a faith community." We gather as religious professionals of different traditions, to share our experiences and our questions, to explore our common ground and our different ways of thinking and being.
Continuing the Decade of the 2000’s (2010 edition)
Interest in practical themes for the conferences increased during the 2000’s, with keynote speakers invited to present their perspectives on day-to-day issues and challenges for chaplains on their campuses. Examples were working with students on multi-faith issues, gay and lesbian concerns, and dealing with mental health needs of students.
The 2005 conference was held in San Antonio from February 20-23, with the theme being “The Spirituality of Identity: Gender and Sexuality”. Featured speakers were Tony and Peggy Campolo, Kenneth Cohen, and Ritch Savin-Williams, with a special presentation on current trends of chaplaincy and higher education by NACUC member Paul Sorrentino. A scintillating Chaplain Narrative was presented by Ian Oliver, Protestant Chaplain at Bucknell.
In preparation for the 3rd Global Conference for College Chaplains, Serena Fujita and Wayne Clark were selected to be delegates to the international committee on behalf of NACUC. The conference to be held in Tampere, Finland in 2008 was promoted strongly as a good opportunity for NACUC members to develop relationships with chaplains elsewhere and to learn more about chaplaincy practices in other countries.
In 2006 NACUC abandoned its long-held penchant for holding the Annual Conferences in warm climes and set its meetings for Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Members found the theme, “Seeking Religious Dialogue: Conversations, Collaborations, and Communities” to be provocative and engaging. The program included keynote speakers Amy Jill Levine, Margaret Barr, and Eboo Patel and Mariah Neuroth of the Interfaith Youth Core. In addition conferees were able to attend an inter-faith program with student speakers from Northwestern University sharing their own distinctive faith tenets. Bridgette Young of Emory University presented the Chaplain’s Narrative.
The year 2007 brought the association’s conference to Hampton, Virginia, with the vital theme of “Privilege, Prejudice & Power: Race, Class and Religion on Campus”. The Conference, held at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center, provided provocative presentations by Cain Hope Felder, Jeffrey Spence, J. Siafa Johnson, Kelly Brown Douglas, and Jonathon Zur. The justice themes resonated strongly with members and recalled the historic commitment of college chaplains to racial justice. A Chaplaincy Narrative presented by NACUC past-president Cynthia Terry was enthusiastically received by conferees.
Not to be outdone by the rising tide of concern for the environment on campus, the Executive Committee responded enthusiastically to Chaplain Karen Wood’s proposal that the next conference deal with environmental sustainability. Portland, Oregon, a leader in urban environmental protection, was chosen for the 2008 conference. In fact, the Doubletree hotel at Lloyd Center was chosen as the site for the conference because the facility had been recognized as a leader in the hotel industry for doing business in a sustainable way. The conference theme was “Sustainable Chaplaincies: Earth Ethics and Campus Community.” Access to Portland’s light rail system from the airport and throughout the downtown area provided a way for conferees to “live out” the conference theme. Keynote speakers included author Jay McDaniel, Anila Muhammad and Jonathan Seidel. Chaplaincy narratives were given by Serena Fujita, NACUC Vice President and Jonathon Moody of Hiram College. Historian Jim Davis was invited to give a historical sketch of NACUC’s first 60 years, which was celebrated at this conference of 2008. Further, members voted to endorse the constitution of the International Association of Chaplains in Higher Education, joining the Australian and New Zealand chaplains’ associations that had already approved the proposal. In response to a shooting tragedy at Northern Illinois University, the members voted to authorize the NACUC Executive Committee to send a letter of condolence and sympathy to the ministries servicing the community of NIU at this time and to send a donation of $300 to provide food or other supplies as needed.
The NACUC conference returned to Texas in 2009 and was held in Austin at the Embassy Suites Central Hotel from February 8-10. A practical theme focusing upon current student needs and trends led to a conference on “Transformations: The Changing Nature of Students & Student Life in Higher Education.” The conference provided not only pleasant, warm weather, but also great hospitality and time for collegiality, rest and relaxation. A visit to Huston-Tillotson College was led by Chaplain Don Brewington. Author Jean Twenge spoke regarding her research on the “Me Generation”, prompting a lively discussion about student interests and characteristics. Alison Malmon, founder of Active Minds, delivered a keynote address and a follow up workshop on understanding student minds and interests.
Richard McBride, Elon College Chaplain, delivered the Chaplaincy narrative, focusing on his many years of service as a college chaplain. Historian Jim Davis presented Richard McBride and Jonathon Moody as nominees for election to the status of Lifetime Members of NACUC. Those eligible for this honor are members retiring from college chaplaincy with 10 or more years of distinctive service to NACUC. McBride and Moody were elected by a unanimous vote with expressions of appreciation for their service to NACUC.
Presidents of the association during this period were:
Ashley Cook, Piedmont College, 2004-2005
Wayne Clark, Hendrix College, 2005-2006
Erica Brown, Northwestern University, 2006-2007
Timothy (Tee) Boddie, Hampton Institute, 2007-2008
Serena Fujita, Bucknell University, 2008-2009
Donald Brewington, Huston-Tillotson College, 2009-2010
Document Revised, January 2010
By Jim Davis, NACUC Historian