University chaplain and Director of Campus Ministries Sharon Kugler will end her 14-year career at Hopkins when she assumes her new position as Chaplain at Yale University this summer.
Kugler, widely seen as one of the nation's most groundbreaking university chaplains, has worked at Hopkins since 1993. She served as president of both the National Association of College and University Chaplains and the Association for College and University Religious Affairs. She is often seen as a pioneer in the area of interfaith chaplaincy.
During her time at Hopkins, she has overseen many important changes in Campus Ministries, and as such, many who were close to Kugler and the Interfaith Center were shocked by the announcement of her departure.
Kugler did not initially consider applying for the job, but was contacted by a research firm.
"This was an opportunity. I've been here for fourteen years and involved with wonderful and creative things. But the chaplaincy at Yale is a wonderful position and ... it is seen as such a leadership position in the field," she said.
Attracted by the Yale Divinity, one of the leading theological institutions in the world, Kugler hoped that the accepted chaplaincy position would allow her to "have a small hand in training tomorrow's chaplains." Noting that it is important to educate these students on "what it means to do chaplaincy in the twenty-first century."
She also hopes to be able to accomplish at Yale some things similar to what she has done at Hopkins. Yale is hoping to construct an interfaith campus community similar to the one Kugler has helped to develop at Hopkins.
A graduate of Santa Clara University with a master's degree from Georgetown, Kugler has overseen many important operations and changes in the interfaith community of Hopkins during her 14-year stay. For her, "the most important thing was the formation of the Interfaith Council -- they represent all different religions that make up the chemistry of the campus, the heart and soul of campus ministries ... They are a national model and engage with other backgrounds in a meaningful way." She also noted how privileged she was to have been able to help in the actual development of the Interfaith Center itself.
She will be missed very much by the students, staff, and faculty who knew her during her time at Hopkins.
"Sharon is one of the most generous, loving individuals I have ever met. Sharon has a way of making everybody feel special and important everywhere she goes," senior Maytal Saltiel said.
One of Saltiel's favorite memories of Kugler is her annual holiday party for the Interfaith Council, but she makes sure to note that Kugler's "presence and love is not only felt on holidays but all year round. Her door is always open and she is always ready to sit down and have a cup of tea to discuss everything from world dilemmas to rants about the lack of heating in your apartment."
Saltiel, who is an intern at the Interfaith Center, said that she believes that although Kugler will be missed by the Hopkins community, her presence will live on through the legacy she is leaving: "Her vision and strength has created the state of interfaith relations as it currently exists ... [she] has built an amazing program and furthermore one that is self-sustaining ... and has made a name for our university nationwide in interfaith dialogue."
"Because of the model she has established, and the time and energy she has put into forming this community, it will continue to flourish. Sharon has had a permanent and lasting impact on the Hopkins Community."
