Tell us about your journey since graduating from Woodward.

I attended Davidson College just north of Charlotte, where I studied psychology and Arab studies. Though I was involved in religious life on campus, I didn’t anticipate pursuing theological education after college, but Davidson provided me with an incredible opportunity for a trial year of seminary, which turned into a full Master in Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary. After that I served as a pastoral resident at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, where I focused on connecting the congregation with the wider community for the common good. Then, I was an associate pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greenville, South Carolina, where my focus was again on building connections among the congregation, with the city, and the wider world. In August 2023, I returned to Davidson as college chaplain.

What skills did you learn at Woodward that prepared you to be an illuminator?

Woodward’s commitment to diversity and inclusion fostered an environment where I interacted with people different from me every day. At the time, I don’t think I realized how rare that experience was in our world. Many communities are designed to separate people from different backgrounds, and it takes significant effort to build relationships with those who see things differently from you. At Woodward, engaging with difference was woven into the fabric of my daily life. Woodward’s well-rounded educational approach didn’t train me to seek answers alone but to think critically and identify the right questions. That approach continued through my liberal arts education at Davidson. This world is dynamic, and it’s not enough to memorize sets of knowledge. Woodward fostered in me an inquisitive spirit that has prepared me to approach novel situations with openness and humility.

Why do you love your work?

I love working with the breadth of the Davidson community, which includes students with a wide variety of experiences and perspectives. They are from many different countries, educational backgrounds, religious and spiritual traditions, and worldviews. Though Davidson is a small town, it feels like the world is at my fingertips, and I am constantly learning through those I encounter. I also have the privilege of accompanying others through life’s joys and challenges. As Davidson’s chaplain, I am present with students through everything from academic stresses to the loss of a loved one. It can be difficult to bear witness to another person’s pain, but it also is a sacred reminder of our shared humanity.

Who are the illuminators who inspired you?

My English teachers, especially Jane Graham, opened new worlds to me through language and literature. By immersing ourselves in stories, we uncovered truths that are more powerfully shown than told, and we learned to empathize with everyone from Homer’s Odysseus to characters from “Little Shop of Horrors.” Choir with Stephen Rotz and Suzanne Woodruff cultivated in me an appreciation for beauty. The arts are powerful tools for connecting with others and oneself. Since graduating from Woodward, I’ve had a host of incredible mentors, including Davidson’s former chaplain, the Rev. Robert Spach. Rob’s gentle spirit, keen mind, and fierce advocacy was a gift to me as a student at Davidson and continues to inspire my vision for both chaplaincy and everyday living.

Why does our world need illuminators?

It’s almost cliché at this point to remark upon the polarization in our world. Where many have become siloed in spheres of black and white, Illuminators invite us to see beyond our certainty. They combat rampant isolation and despair by fostering a sense of belonging to something bigger than ourselves. I’m reminded of something Mr. (Fred) Rogers once said: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” Those are the illuminators.