After a national search, the Protestant Chapel Community at the University of Rochester has named the Rev. Dr. Laurie Tiberi as its new chaplain.
“We are lucky indeed to have secured a chaplain with the background and numerous skills that Laurie Tiberi offers,” said Lawrence Jones ’87, a member of the search committee. “Her academic credentials are impressive and well-suited to a University environment. Laurie will relate well to college students, staff and faculty, and to our denominational partners,” he said.
Tiberi was ordained in 1987 in the Presbyterian Church and has standing in the United Church of Christ. She earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of California at Irvine, a master of divinity degree and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a law degree from the City University of New York.
She has been a pastor since 1986 in Lockport, Binghamton, and New Hyde Park, N.Y., and she has practiced public interest law.
“Laurie’s take on the Scriptures is a great combination of scholarship and personal faith,” said Alison Martinez ’01, a Protestant Chapel Community alumna on the College Protestant Advisory Committee. “She seems to see the Bible as a living word, and will do a super job helping college students apply it to their lives.”
Like the chaplaincies of other faiths at the University, the Protestant Chaplaincy is a partnership between the College and the sponsoring faith communities. The Protestant Chaplain is employed by Genesee Area Campus Ministries, an ecumenical body involving the American Baptist Churches, the Episcopal Church, the Presbyterian Church USA, the United Church of Christ, and the United Methodist Church.
The search committee included one Rochester alumnus, one current student, one professor, and two local pastors, and the candidates had extensive meetings with students. Tiberi was the overwhelming choice of the students. “We are very excited to welcome such an experienced, intelligent, and warm person to be our chaplain,” said Jennifer Zogg ’05, president of the Protestant Chapel Community.