Campus Ministry Welcomes Two New Chaplains
Two new faces recently joined Rider’s Campus Ministry. Rev. Dawn Adamy replaced Rev. Nancy Schluter as the new chaplain of the Protestant Campus Ministry, and Father Ian Trammell replaced Father Bruno Ugliano as the new chaplain of the Catholic Campus Ministry. Both of the new chaplains plan to expand programs and service projects on both the Lawrenceville and Princeton campuses, as well as create opportunities for the two ministries to work together.
Last year, Rev. Dawn started working part time for the Protestant Campus Ministry at The College of New Jersey. This year, her position was expanded to both the Rider campuses. Because she lives in Lawrence with her family, Rev. Dawn said she knew about Rev. Nancy’s work with Rider’s Protestant Campus Ministry.
“I was just thrilled to have a campus ministry where there was a foundation that I could build upon,” said Rev. Dawn, who graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2004 and worked at a congregation in South Hunterdon, N.J. “It is exciting to be involved in campus ministry and working with young adults.”
During her 25-year career at Rider, Rev. Nancy started the community service project to Jamaica, where students volunteer at local schools and develop enrichment programs for children. She ran the trip with Don Brown, director of the University’s Center for Multicultural Affairs and Community Service. Rev. Nancy and Brown also directed the University’s involvement in Midnight Run, where donated food and clothing are delivered to the homeless. Rev. Nancy continues to teach classes on the Lawrenceville campus.
Rev. Dawn said she would like to create opportunities for Protestants on both campuses to participate in community service, faith-based community service, as well as explore their faith.
“I think that’s what the college years are all about it – finding out about ourselves,” she said. “I think faith plays a huge part in that.”
Rev. Dawn also has two seminary interns from the Princeton Theological Seminary – the husband-and-wife team of Daryl and Courtney Ellis – who run a book study called Jesus for President on Wednesday afternoons at 5 p.m. in the New Building Conference Room.
Fr. Ian Trammell, also a coordinator for Respect Life Ministries in Trenton, recently received a degree in Moral Theology from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining the priesthood, he was a headmaster at a school for disaffected youth, and then served at St. Joan of Arc for two-and-a-half years in Marlton, N.J.
During his 12-year career at Rider, Fr. Bruno, who retired in June, established many service activities including trips for students to volunteer at the Millhill Child and Family Developmental Center in Trenton. Fr. Bruno is now residing at St. Mary’s Abbey, a monastic community in Morristown, N.J., which runs a preparatory school for boys, a retreat center and two parishes.
This semester, Fr. Trammell said the Catholic Campus Ministry has trips planned to the center. He added that he has been working with the student board to develop programs that incorporate spirituality.
“We do service activities out of the sense of God’s love,” he added.
Evening prayers and a dinner are held on Wednesdays, starting at 7 p.m., in the Gill Chapel. Dinner discussions allow students to think about their future vocations, including careers and marriages. Catholic Campus Ministry also holds a bible study on Wednesday afternoons. Fr. Trammell said the Catholic Campus Ministry would also like to host a discussion series that would allow students to explore their faith and social issues in a more casual setting on Thursdays in the SRC on the Lawrenceville campus.
For more information about service schedules and upcoming events of the Rider Campus Ministry, please visit http://www.rider.edu/175_3399.htm.
