Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • |
  • Alumni
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Campus & Community

Hendricks Chapel Receives Prestigious Award for Weekly Dean’s Convocations

Tuesday, February 27, 2018, By Kelly Homan Rodoski
Share
Hendricks Chapel

Hendricks Chapel has been awarded the 2018 Outstanding Spiritual Initiatives Award from NASPA—Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, an association of student affairs professionals in higher education.

The Outstanding Spiritual Initiative Award is given annually to recognize a program that promotes spiritual and religious growth on a college campus. The program or initiative chosen demonstrates a significant impact on a college campus by promoting spiritual and religious engagement among the student body.

Hendricks Chapel exterior viewHendricks Chapel was chosen for its weekly Dean’s Convocations, which were introduced in August and take place every Sunday evening at 7 p.m. in the chapel. The NASPA selection committee viewed the convocations as an innovative model of broad impact.

The convocations are intended to be a weekly gathering place for all people that feature a diversity of religious, spiritual and philosophical perspectives. Each convocation features congregational singing, led by University Organist Anne Laver; at least one choral anthem featuring the Hendricks Chapel Choir, led by Director Peppie Calvar; and a guest artist. The convocation’s artistic elements are combined with a reading and reflection based on the week’s theme, delivered by Hendricks Dean Brian Konkol or an invited guest.

This spring semester, the convocation themes surround matters of unity, diversity, service and adversity, which provides participants with an opportunity to reflect alongside a diverse gathering. “The Dean’s Convocation creates a home-like community for everyone to feel welcome in,” says Hendricks Chapel Choir member Gabrielle Meadows. “These Sunday nights have tied knots tightly between people, and have opened another door for students to learn.”

The convocations grew out of a thorough review of the chapel and its programs, which took place from 2015-17 during the term of Interim Dean Samuel Clemence.

Konkol says this convocation model is something that has not yet been done at other institutions around the country. “The weekly gatherings are so distinctive, because ultimately, the Syracuse University community is so wonderfully unique. Each week is a team effort that involves a wonderful collection of contributors, so to be recognized by NASPA is a credit to the students, faculty, staff, administrators and area community members that impact its relevance and vitality.”

During this semester, Konkol, Calvar, Laver and student leaders will continue to seek out religious, spiritual and artistic collaborations that will further enhance the experience for students and other members of the Syracuse University community. In addition, they expect to add free community dinners in the near future, to take place before the convocation, to offer additional time for conversation and fellowship.

NASPA was established in 1918 and is composed of more than 15,000 members at more than 2,100 institutions in all 50 states, 25 countries and eight U.S. territories.

  • Author

Kelly Rodoski

  • Recent
  • Education Expert: Massive Public Investment Needed to Solve Teacher Shortages 
    Wednesday, September 20, 2023, By Christopher Munoz
  • University Football Films Collection Now Available Online
    Tuesday, September 19, 2023, By Cristina Hatem
  • Syracuse Views Fall 2023
    Tuesday, September 19, 2023, By Christine Weber
  • 7 New Representatives Added to the Board of Trustees
    Monday, September 18, 2023, By News Staff
  • Campus Community Invited to Register for The D.E.I.A. Symposium Sessions and Keynote Panel Discussion Oct. 3
    Monday, September 18, 2023, By Kathleen Haley

More In Campus & Community

High School Students Gain Real-World Experience During the Summer Internship Program

When you put the Syracuse City School District (SCSD), Syracuse University and CNY Works together, one word comes to mind: future. A partnership between the three has sparked learning and opportunity across the five city high schools. Through the Syracuse…

‘Undeterred: Syracuse University’s Unique Connection to Affirmative Action and Our Next Steps’ Featured Discussion at The D.E.I.A. Symposium Oct. 3

A panel discussion, “Undeterred: Syracuse University’s Unique Connection to Affirmative Action and Our Next Steps,” will be featured as part of The D.E.I.A. Symposium, hosted by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Tuesday, Oct. 3. The discussion will be held…

Applications Now Open for 2024 Summer and Short-Term Study Abroad Programs

Syracuse Abroad is now accepting applications for 2024 summer and short-term courses abroad—and it’s never too early to start planning for a summer abroad! Summer programs, ranging from two to nine weeks abroad, can help students prepare for or try…

University Football Films Collection Now Available Online

A selection of football films from the University Archives in Syracuse University Libraries’ Special Collections Research Center (SCRC) is now available online at https://digitalcollections.syr.edu/syracuse-university-football-films-collection. The Libraries’ Digital Stewardship team, in collaboration with the SCRC, coordinated digitization of 430 films dating…

7 New Representatives Added to the Board of Trustees

Chancellor Kent Syverud has appointed Dean Michael Speaks and Kathleen (Kati) Foley as representatives to the Board of Trustees. Speaks, dean of the School of Architecture, has been named the academic dean representative to the board, and Foley, project director…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • X
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
Social Media Directory

For the Media

Find an Expert Follow @SyracuseUNews
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • @SUCampus
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2023 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.