Hood Today

Issue date: 12/8/08 Section: News

BY CAITLIN SALOVICH: Dean of Chapel Rev. Beth O'Malley in front of the decorated Coffman Chapel alter.

Perched in her sun-filled chapel office, Rev. Beth O'Malley beams of excitement as she tells of the things she hopes to accomplish at Hood over the next year. From the United Church of Christ out of Columbia, O'Malley is the first-ever Dean of the Chapel at Hood. Her special position was made possible by an endowment from a graduate of the college.
"I'm here for everybody. I am a Christian, but a spiritual support to students of all backgrounds. I feel my call is to be here for everyone," O'Malley explains.
Hood's denomination is with the United Church of Christ. The chapel is home to many, including Jewish, Buddhist and Christian. Until the early 1970s, chapel services at Hood were mandatory. . The chapel belongs only to Hood, and currently no other churches hold services in there, although it has been used for weddings. Future programs that O'Malley is looking to run will be based on what students want, and she emphasizes that she is looking for the input of students to see and hear what they need on campus.
O'Malley graduated from the Yale Divinity School in 1986. During her undergraduate years, she double-majored in English and religion. A native of Conn., she served in the campus ministry field in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, for over 10 years. Hood has now had the privilege to welcome her with open arms.
As a student at Hood, O'Malley is here to be a spiritual companion to you. She has re-vamped the "Higher Grounds" coffee area and lounge on the lower floor of the chapel. It's a beautiful place to study and just relax. In addition, the students have also taken advantage of the Prayer Room. This room used to be Rev. O'Malley's office, before she moved upstairs so that students could use it. She explains that it is a place for students from all backgrounds to find peace.
"In college you expect to learn about academic programs, and it can come as a surprise that students learn a lot about themselves," she explains, as students spend time living with different people from different backgrounds, cultures and even sexual orientations.
She believes it is a blessing to be able to be a spiritual companion to students during this time in their lives.
College is truly a time to find out who you are and what you believe. Rev. O'Malley is here to be a companion to students during this growing period in their lives. She encourages students to drop by during her office hours, or give her an e-mail for more info.

Chapel Services held every Wednesday from
12:25 - 12:50.
The first Wednesday of every month, O'Malley holds an interfaith service designed to capture a shared religious value as the theme.

Office Hours:
Tuesdays 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. Thursdays 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

O'Malley plans to hold a series of "Last Lectures" beginning next fall, and is currently working on an "Alternative Spring Break" for the spring 2009

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