I have been the Interim Chaplain here at Tufts since December 2000. Before that I was a Protestant Affiliate Chaplain for most of seventeen years. I feel very much a part of this place. Being on campus has, of course, been a much more complete experience than serving from the community. And I have loved it.
Tufts University is a great place. Being in the midst of so many rich resources, I have felt like a kid in a candy store. Being able to relate to students, faculty, staff, and administration has enabled me to explore so many different faith perspectives and has been a great learning experience. I only hope that I have been able to give a small portion of all I have received back to the community.
We went through the trauma of Sept. 11 together. We have faced very serious questions together as our government and the world has responded to those events, and to all the critical issues, which led up to that fateful day. Faith struggles to make sense of it all and to give ethical directions for the future. The fact that we on campus come from such diverse religious traditions gives us insight into the depth of problems and the effort and commitment that is required in addressing them.
I was hired by President John Di Biaggio and Provost Sol Gittleman and have had the privilege of participating in the inauguration of our new President, Lawrence Bacow. I appreciate the opportunity given me by them, and by former University Chaplain Scotty McLennan for suggesting that I apply for the job. On top of everything, we have been celebrating Tufts' Sesquicentennial. What a time to be serving as Chaplain!
Working with Linda Karpowich and Edith Stead, and with Joyce Galantic and our student monitors in the Chaplaincy Office and with our current team of Chaplains, Rabbi Jeffrey Summit, The Rev. Steven Bonsey, The Rev. David O'Leary, and Imam Noureddine Hawat, along with all of our Affiliates, has been wonderful. Now I am able to welcome one of us, Father David O'Leary to the position of University Chaplain and turn over this work into his capable hands.
Religion has a very important place in the Tufts University campus. In this setting, the education of the whole person for a full and engaged life is accepted as normative. The secular environment in which we are set is, in my opinion, good soil and essential to the development of a spiritual life; a life which has integrity, that understands itself in light of other experiences of religion and which is open to the unfettered life of the mind in a global context.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as Interim University Chaplain. Thank you, each one with whom I have come in contact, for who you are and all you do. Thank you for making real the words expressed by so many when I first came on board, "Welcome to Tufts." Blessings to The Rev. David O'Leary as he continues his work in your midst in his new role.
Patricia Budd Kepler is the Interim Chaplain of Tufts.
