Mercer Times

The Rev. Alison Boden, Princeton University’s dean of religious life and the chapel, is retiring at the end of July. Boden has led the University’s Office of Religious Life since 2007.

“From the very beginning of my tenure at Princeton, I have been impressed by the Office of Religious Life. My appreciation for Alison has only grown as she has helped guide our community through times of celebration, times of challenge and times of mourning,” said Vice President for Campus Life Rochelle Calhoun, who oversees the Office of Religious Life. “With Alison's deeply thoughtful and spiritual leadership, the ORL has become a model for religious and spiritual life on a university campus.”

The Rev. Theresa Thames, currently the associate dean of religious life and the chapel, has been named to succeed Boden as dean.

The Rev. Theresa Thames will begin her new role as dean on Aug. 1.

“I’m very excited to begin working with Theresa in her new role as the dean," Calhoun said. "Colleagues from around campus recognize her as an extraordinarily brilliant and talented person who possesses a strong moral and ethical compass with a deeply spiritual and compassionate spirit.”

The Office of Religious Life supports various religious traditions that flourish on Princeton’s campus and encourages interfaith dialogue and cooperation. The University supports 17 campus chaplaincies and numerous faith-based student organizations and facilities. As dean of the chapel, Boden has overseen use of the University Chapel building, officiated at ecumenical Christian services on Sundays and holidays, hosted Baccalaureate, and participated in Princetonians’ weddings and funerals.

“It’s been a privilege to accompany the Princeton community for 17 years, in terms of faith and spirituality, and so much more,” said Boden. “It’s a great honor to get to be a part of the conversations where people wrestle with the great questions: Who we are, who we’re becoming, what that means.”

Boden is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. In her time at Princeton, she has added Hindu and Muslim chaplaincies to serve the campus community and worked on various initiatives central to Princeton’s informal mission “in the nation’s service and in service to humanity.”

“I’m gratified when people graduate from Princeton and say ‘The surprise of my time here has been hanging out a lot in the Office of Religious Life,’” she said. “They found that what we care about is also important to them,” including programs focusing on reconciliation, refugees' issues, forced migration, prison system reform, and racial justice.

“Faith in action makes us do these things but you don’t have to share that faith to come hang out with us,” she said. “We have no agenda for you—just come over.”

In addition to her many ministries roles at Princeton University Chapel Services., She taught religion classes focusing topics such as human rights., women rights., nonviolent political change within Department Religion School Public International Affairs She partnered groups beyond Since bringing students England Lake District intensive training Rose Castle Foundation become agents reconciliation equipped lead conversations across political divides After retirement plans continue work Foundation

Boden received A.B drama Vassar College master divinity (M.Div.) Union Theological Seminary Ph.D peace studies University Bradford northern England She spent entire career campus ministry serving university chaplain Bucknell Protestant Union College Rockefeller Memorial Chapel Chicago before coming Princeton

Boden held various roles non-governmental organizations Religions Peace Institute Global Engagement United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Parliament World Religions Carter Center written articles chapters book Women Rights Religious Practice Claims Conflict

Thames ordained elder United Methodist Church will begin new role Aug joined associate 2016 after nine years serving churches Washington D.C area At ministry included leading interdenominational worship services providing pastoral care counseling students staff faculty

“I'm forever thankful Alison beyond excited lead Office Religious Life” Thames said This role marriage passions ministry academia

Thames graduated Howard University B.A human communication studies received M.Div concentration gender studies Duke Divinity School completed doctor ministry (D.Min.) Wesley Theological Seminary Among honors listed one ten theologians watch Sojourners magazine fellow Unsung Hero Award Graduate School Inclusive Academy delivered academic conference keynotes invited church sermons across country

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