By NATALIE BROWN ’29
Updated 11:50 a.m. EDT, 9 Oct. 2026
This semester, Fall 2026, Houghton University’s (HU) Dean of Spiritual Life Scott Hallman established the position of student chaplain within the residence halls and town houses. The chaplains’ role is to serve the HU community by promoting the “Vision Of Our Common Life,” as mentioned in the student handbook, of a rejoicing, gentle and peaceful community that dwells on praiseworthy things. This semester’s student chaplains are Ariel Groen ‘29 and Janelle Stassel ‘28 in East Hall, Grace Bailey ‘28 and Marissa White ‘30 in Lambein, Riley VanHeukelum ‘27 and Peter Stickney ‘29 in Rothenbuhler, Corban Gibson ‘29 and Jonathan DeWitt ‘27 in Shenawana, and Cora Paige ‘27, Rudy Brouillette ‘27 and Joshua Correa ‘27 in the townhouses. However, those selected will vary every semester.
A student chaplain’s main purpose is to foster the growth of a spiritual community that encompasses all students regardless of their expressions in their Christian faith or their complicated schedules. As Stassel conveyed, “People connect with God in different ways, so, we need to give everyone opportunities to grow.” The chaplains plan for these opportunities to take the form of connecting students to pre-existing bible studies or worship events that fit within their schedule, developing new spiritual events catered to the needs expressed by students in the residence halls and taking time to connect with students on an individual basis. This is highlighted by one of the goals VanHeukelum has to “connect with more people on campus…at times people just need someone to listen to and I am hoping that that’s something I can continue to do in a greater capacity as a chaplain.”
An important aspect of this new position to note is that the responsibilities of student chaplains are intended to act in addition to spiritual life outside of the residence halls, not in competition. Hallman explained, “The chaplains act as a spiritual life advocate to get people plugged into the culture that we are trying to create here.” They are both the point of connection to guide students to any spiritual events that may help them grow, and the bridge to developing new methods of worship and contemplation of Christ that may be lacking within the Houghton student community. Anyone interested in starting their own external bible study is still encouraged to do so, chaplains, simply put, work to point students towards the spiritual events that best work for them.
Other responsibilities of the student chaplains include occasional participation in Around the Table events such as Q&A Panels, reading scripture or praying in Chapel and bi-weekly meetings where chaplains devote time in prayer for the students of HU. “We had 208 prayer requests submitted by students in our first Around the Table” Hallman described, “as chaplains, we sit and pray for those, isn’t that amazing.”
There are high hopes for the student chaplain position and the benefits it may have on campus. “The more I talk about this, the more excited I get,” said Hallman, “I think there is a fully untapped opportunity here.” From connecting students to worship opportunities, to fulfilling the spiritual needs of students in the residence halls, to coming before God in prayer for the students of the university: this role holds great potential to strengthen the spiritual community of Houghton. ★
