Concluding a nearly five-month search, the University named the Rev. Alison Boden dean of religious life and the chapel yesterday.
An ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, Boden has served as the dean of Rockefeller Memorial Chapel at the University of Chicago for the past 12 years.
Boden will also have an occasional opportunity to teach undergraduate courses in the religion department, Vice President for Campus Life Janet Dickerson said.
Dickerson, who led the search for a new dean of religious life, said the search committee was "very impressed" with Boden's experience and "commitment to social justice." She said Boden's reputation also made an impact on the search committee. "People are aware of [Boden's] work," she said.
The search for a new dean of religious life began in January, when Thomas Breidenthal, dean since 2002, resigned to become bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio.
During her years at Chicago, where she also served as a senior lecturer in the Divinity School and College, Boden created opportunities for worship and reflection, focusing on topics including the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, sexual violence and Earth Day.
Boden also started an Interreligious Council, a group of students representing different religions whose goals included programming, community-building and endorsing respect for and between religious groups on campus.
Dickerson said the University was impressed by Boden's experience initiating interfaith projects. "Our deans have been very active in shaping the Interfaith Council," Dickerson said, adding that she is "hoping that [Boden] will continue to foster interfaith initiatives."
As dean, Boden hopes to "talk to as many people as I possibly can and find out what their vision [for religious life on campus] is." She then plans to work with these people to help achieve their goals.
Boden said that her work in theology has made her realize "the power of our religious lives to bring us meaning in every corner of our lives and serve as an agent to lift up all people," whether they are religious or not.
"I had such wonderful visits [to Princeton]," Boden said, adding that she encountered "really deep commitment to religious life" and was impressed with the people she met. She described religious life at Princeton as "vibrant" and "a wonderful thing to be a part of," and said that she has respected religious life at Princeton for a long time.
"I'm thrilled to be coming to Princeton!" Boden said in an email to University spokeswoman Cass Cliat '96 yesterday.
Boden's appointment as dean of religious life will become effective August 1.
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