Samuel Clemence Appointed Interim Dean of Hendricks Chapel

Senior Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs Rebecca Reed Kantrowitz today announced the appointment of Samuel Clemence, Meredith professor emeritus of civil and environmental engineering, as interim dean of Hendricks Chapel.

Samuel Clemence

The appointment comes as Tiffany Steinwert, current dean of Hendricks Chapel, has accepted the position of dean of religious and spiritual life at Wellesley College in Massachusetts. Steinwert, who has served as the sixth dean of Hendricks Chapel since 2010, will depart the University on Aug. 15.

“Tiffany’s gracious leadership of Hendricks Chapel has served our community well,” says Kantrowitz. “She has a deep sense of fairness and strong moral compass, which have been the mark of her tenure as dean. Her ability to build relationships, span cultural divides and provide spiritual and moral education and support has helped enhance Hendricks Chapel as the ‘heart’ of the Syracuse University campus.”

Clemence, who agreed to serve has interim dean, has more than 37 years of teaching experience at Syracuse University in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. His academic work focuses on geotechnical engineering, soils and foundation design, and history of technology. Selected as a Laura J. and L. Douglas Meredith Professor of Teaching Excellence in 1996, Clemence has received several teaching and professional honors, and has numerous publications.

In addition to his extensive teaching experience at Syracuse University, Clemence has served as a spiritual life group advisor for more than a decade and has been an active member of the University’s Spiritual Life Council. He is well known on campus and at the chapel and has cultivated positive relationships with all constituents, both staff and students. He became interim dean effective Aug. 1.

“Sam understands the culture of both Syracuse University and Hendricks Chapel and is able to work with diverse people from many faith traditions,” says Kantrowitz. “He is a trusted and well-respected member of our campus community, and I am happy to welcome him to the Division of Student Affairs.”

During the fall semester, Student Affairs leadership will work with the Hendricks Chapel community in an inclusive way to develop a firm foundation and clear vision for the chapel and its leadership team going forward. This will include the development of a report by Dec. 1, which will inform the search for a seventh dean and guide the new dean in the work of the chapel. A national search for a new dean will begin in January.

A farewell and thank you reception honoring Tiffany Steinwert will take place on Thursday, Aug. 13, 3-4:30 p.m. in the Noble Room of Hendricks Chapel. It is open to the full campus community.