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University Communications

University of Richmond to Install New Chaplain on Sept. 27

September 20, 2004

The University of Richmond will hold the installation service of the Rev. Dr. Daphne L. Burt as chaplain Sept. 27 at 4 p.m. in Cannon Memorial Chapel.

Bishop James F. Mauney of the Virginia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will preside, and the Rev. Dr. Douglas A Hicks, associate professor of leadership studies and religion at Richmond, will preach.

Formerly associate dean of Rockefeller Memorial Chapel at the University of Chicago, Burt was selected last year to succeed the Rev. Dr. David D. Burhans, who retired from the chaplaincy after 30 years of service. Her appointment was effective July 1, but Burt asked that the installation be held after the opening of the fall semester.

"The search committee knew me well, but the community that I serve is huge. So, I asked that it be delayed," she said. "I wanted the campus community to know me, too-at least a little-before holding the installation service."

Burt said that she has modified the standard installation service, originally Christian-focused, to incorporate Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh elements. Students and faculty represent all of those religions at the university.

"Speakers from each of those traditions at the university will take part," she said. “I designed that into the service, because this ministry serves the whole university community.

While I am unabashedly Christian on Sundays, the joy of my life is making sure everybody has an opportunity to find spiritual community and support, whether they are religious or not," she said.