Continuing with last year’s request, Dr. Phil Schubert, president of the university, and Dr. Jeanine Varner, provost, are continuing to encourage staff and faculty attendance in Chapel on Mondays.
More chairs were filled in Moody Coliseum last semester after Schubert and Varner suggested that supervisors close down their offices during Chapel time.
“Chapel attendance is something that we’ve always encouraged for faculty, maybe a little less so for staff,” Varner said. “Last January, Dr. Schubert really wanted to make a push to get faculty and staff there.”
In keeping with the university’s mission, the university has always highlighted faculty Chapel attendance.
“When I interview new faculty, we always talk about Chapel attendance and its importance,” Varner said. “So, it’s always been a part of our expectations.”
Service Action Leadership Team (SALT) advisor Nancy Coburn says she’s thrilled Dr. Schubert has called employees to join in the community of worship.
“[It’s beneficial] because faith is the foundation of who we are at ACU,” Coburn said. “It is critical that we join with our students in living that out. We do that in many ways, but to ignore the call students have to be in Chapel because we deem it so important and not walk alongside them in that does not send the right message.”
Students also see the increased faculty attendance as encouraging.
Laura Jane Hood, sophomore youth and family ministry and psychology major from Tenn., said she believed faculty’s willingness to attend Chapel displayed their desire to mentor to students. “I appreciate that I go to a Christian university that says not only do our students go to chapel, but our faculty does as well,” Hood said. “It serves as an example of community where students and faculty can get to know each other and spend time together in fellowship.”
Varner said she has noticed an increased number of faculty and staff attendance in Monday’s Chapel since last semester. She believes closing offices during chapel time makes it easier for busy staff and faculty to attend.
“I think really putting that focus on one day in particular has been helpful, and I think people have worked hard to find ways to close down offices and to make it possible for people to be there.”