New Campus Ministry Director Named

Dear Campus Community,

I write to share the good news that Luke Lavin, PhD, has been named Seattle University’s Director of Campus Ministry. Luke comes to us from Gonzaga University, where he leads the campus ministry team. He will join SU on July 17.

Luke is steeped in Jesuit education. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Gonzaga University, he served in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (Micronesia), went on to receive a Master of Divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology at Santa Clara in Berkeley and returned to Gonzaga to earn a PhD in Leadership Studies.

Joining Gonzaga’s Office of Mission and Ministry in 2015, Luke was named Director of Campus Ministry in 2018 and, among other contributions, creatively led the team and ministered to the university community through the challenges of the COVID pandemic.

As many of those who were able to participate in the search process witnessed, Luke is a deep listener and discerner and strong pastoral presence who possesses a profound understanding and love for the Ignatian tradition. For colleagues in Campus Ministry and throughout the university, he will be a thoughtful leader and collaborator, and for the students to whom he ministers, a welcoming and compassionate source of support.

Luke asked me to share the following:

“I am overjoyed and honored to be a part of the SU community in this role. My family and I are excited to join in the life-giving work of Jesuit education, accompaniment and growth at SU. I look forward to meeting the community soon!”

I want to thank the members of the search committee (listed below) and all who gave their time to help with the process. I am also grateful to Andrea Fontana for serving as Interim Director and to our Campus Ministry team for their excellent work during this time of transition.

As we prepare for Luke’s arrival this summer, I know you will join me in warmly welcoming him to our campus community.

Sincerely,

Catherine Punsalan-Manlimos
Vice President for Mission Integration

Director of Campus Ministry Search Committee

• Jen Tilghman-Havens, Executive Director, Center for Jesuit Education (Chair)
• Arturo Araujo, S.J., Rector, Arrupe Jesuit Community
• Le Xuan Hy, Associate Professor, Psychology; Director, Catholic Studies
• Deanne Liu, Associate Director, Student Success and Outreach
• Bill McNamara, Campus Minister for Liturgical Music

Donna Teevan, Chair and Associate Professor, Theology and Religious Studies