By GRACE BAILEY ’28
Updated 11:50 a.m. EDT, Sept 19, 2025
Scott Hallman is Houghton University’s (HU) new Dean of Spiritual Life and Campus Pastor.
For the last 30 years, Hallman worked as a pastor, in various capacities, in Pennsylvania, Maine and California. He is a licensed minister in the Brethren in Christ (BIC) Church. And, in the announcement of Hallman’s appointment, President Wayne D. Lewis, Jr. said Hallman is in the process of “obtaining ministry credentials in the Western New York District of The Wesleyan Church.”
Prior to working in ministry, Hallman obtained a bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a masters degree in Christian Thought.
Hallman and his wife, Tricia, have four children, one of which is a 2021 HU graduate. In his spare time, he enjoys outdoor activities, especially cycling.
According to Lewis, Hallman “is passionate about helping to shape the spiritual formation of young adults.”
As the new campus pastor, Hallman’s enthusiasm showed during his first sermon in chapel and when praying for the Houghton community. He already made it his duty to show Houghton students that he truly cares for every one of them. During both his first chapel sermon and this week’s Rooted Reflection, Hallman emphasised that he is committed to learning the names of every student.
Beatrice Brooks ‘27 attests to the fact that Hallman loves showing how much he cares. She attends morning prayer with Hallman every Tuesday and Thursday morning. Brooks said that he is very attentive to little things and is intent on making people comfortable. “I sat on the floor one morning because I didn’t want to sit in the chairs,” she said, “and he didn’t want me to feel alone, so he sat down too.” Hallman encourages everyone to come to him with any prayer requests they have, and is interested in building relationships with every student he meets.
As the campus pastor, he has introduced some new changes to chapel. Rather than having separate times for worship music and scripture, Hallman has taken on an integrated approach that involves the student body throughout the service.
Last year’s interim Dean of Chapel JL Miller has one word of advice that he would like to give Hallman and every other staff member on campus. “The greatest gift any of us brings to this community is our own intimacy with Christ,” he said. “My advice for anyone serving in any role on this campus is to walk closely with Christ and pursue a life that reflects His love and grace.”
In response to the first chapel, Spiritual Life Representative Michael Carey ‘27 said “Chapel has always been a place of renewal and strengthening for students and staff throughout their busy weeks, and I know that under Scott’s leadership it’s going to continue to be a place where God’s people can gather and encounter the living God in new ways for the season we are in.” ★
