Episcopal chaplain Thea Keith-Lucas has been named interim chaplain to MIT, as MIT pauses its search for a full-time chaplain, which launched last fall. “I am honored to serve alongside our dedicated and creative chaplains to support the religious identities, spiritual well-being and ethical growth of our students in this challenging time,” Keith-Lucas said.
In addition to coordinating and fostering religious life programming at MIT, the chaplain to the institute is part of MIT’s larger student support network. The institute chaplain works with more than 30 other MIT chaplains who represent many religious traditions to promote interfaith discourse and educate the MIT community about the history and role of religions around the world. Though the role was created in 2007, it was part of President James Killian’s vision in the mid-1950s to bolster MIT’s spiritual life and teaching on religion in society.
“This role is very important to the MIT community as a whole, including those who follow a faith tradition and those who don’t. We look to chaplains to be a source of comfort during painful times and an ethical guide during uncertain times,” said Suzy Nelson, vice president and dean for student life. “That’s a tall order, and we are excited that Thea will take on the challenge on an interim basis.”