Director of Campus Ministry

Dear Friends,

I wanted to share the news that Tammy Liddell will be moving on from her role as Director of Campus Ministry at Seattle University to step into the role of Executive Director of L’Arche Noah Sealth, Seattle. Tammy has been involved with L’Arche for many years from Ireland to Seattle, holding positions as house leader (Ireland), program coordinator (Bradford, MA) and most recently volunteer board member (Seattle).

Prior to joining Seattle University, she worked in Campus Ministry at Boston College, Creighton University and College of New Rochelle. Tammy has served as director of Campus Ministry at SU since 2014. During her time as director, she has embodied both care for our students and for the institution and its mission. Her commitment to ministry and her deeply pastoral heart have led her to this next stage of her life of service.

At the Campus Ministry Student Campus Minister Retreat last month, one of the students asked, “What is your favorite living thing on campus?” Tammy simply answered, “The students.” These two words perfectly capture Tammy’s ministry and work in her eight years at Seattle University. From working with Financial Services, Disability Services, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Housing and Residence Life, among other departments, Tammy has been a partner with many wonderful colleagues on campus in diverse efforts to support our students. Tammy has been on the front lines of student programming. From leading the Mexico Immersion to serving as a chaplain on New Student Retreat, Tammy is deeply committed to impacting students’ lives for the better. Most poignantly, Tammy has been there with so many students experiencing grief and hardship, leading campus vigils, providing pastoral care, and securing financial backing for the Commencement Closet to support graduating students experiencing need.

A close second to her care and concern for students is her commitment to the Campus Ministry team. I am thankful for Tammy’s support of the Campus Ministry and Resident Ministry teams throughout the years and particularly through the difficulties of the early days of the COVID pandemic. 

When asked to reflect on what she sees as her key accomplishments during her time at Seattle University, her response was to say that “it has been a privilege to oversee gifted Campus Ministers in their work to create beloved community at Seattle University and support the spiritual lives of our students. It has been my greatest joy to accompany our amazing and beautiful students from Orientation to Commencement and everything that happens in between.”

While it was my hope to have Tammy as a key partner in building the Division of Mission Integration, I am encouraged by the knowledge that her departure, a fruit of careful discernment, makes it possible to imagine deeper collaboration between Seattle University and L’Arche Seattle.

Tammy has generously agreed to stay on at Seattle University until November 1 to help us to continue to transition smoothly into the current academic year. An interim director of Campus Ministry will be appointed to lead the department while the search for a new director is undertaken.

Please join us on Wednesday, October 19, 3-5 p.m. in Casey Commons to celebrate and thank Tammy for the many ways she has served our students, the Campus Ministry team and the community within and beyond the university in her eight years at Seattle University.

Sincerely,

Catherine Punsalan-Manlimos
Vice President for Mission Integration