Every August, one week before classes begin, Dean of Spiritual Life and Director of the Institute for Church Professions Reverend Dr. Justin Allen and his wife open their home to a variety of individuals—international students, members of the JustFaith program and students who work in the Office of Spiritual Life—to create a “level playing field” where they can begin to get to know one another. For Rev. Allen, the tradition plays an important role in fostering community.
“Building community is important at Shenandoah because we care, and because our president cares about each student on our campus,” said Allen. On the “level playing field” that starts at Allen’s home, students relax and learn about one another and the university in a setting of mutual respect and shared interests—an important first step for new students as they transition to college life and begin creating their place in the world.
Shenandoah’s Office of Spiritual Life offers numerous opportunities for students to learn about a variety of faith systems, and it provides access to diverse forms of worship practiced by various religions groups. By attending worship services within faiths such as Islam, students learn about unfamiliar cultures and broaden their capacity for compassion toward those whose worldviews may differ from their own. Creating a community of caring is a central focus of the Office of Spiritual Life. Students, as well as faculty and staff, may participate in numerous mission trips and programs that allow them to make a difference both locally and globally, and to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world, practical experiences.
Allen defines community as creating a “home,” a place where students can feel safe and comfortable enough to be themselves, and where they are given many opportunities to explore their lives, try new experiences and grow as individuals. This is the essence of the Shenandoah experience—providing a nurturing, yet creative and energetic environment where students can become inspired to explore new passions, and where they are challenged go further than they thought possible.