Vasudha Narayanan, distinguished professor in the University of Florida’s Department of Religion, introduced Allocco’s keynote. Allocco focused her lecture on pampaikkārar, musicians who play the twin-headed set of drums known as pampai and sing to invoke the deities in diverse Hindu devotional contexts. Drawing on material from her recently completed sabbatical fieldwork project in Tamil-speaking South India, she highlighted the role of pampaikkārar as both musicians and ritual specialists who invoke deities through sound. She argued that these practitioners innovatively adapt their performances in response to changing aesthetic preferences, devotional needs and social contexts while both maintaining credibility and inspiring the “god-feeling” referenced in the title of her presentation. Allocco also reflected on her own research methods, emphasizing how fieldwork relationships as well as lived traditions shape scholarly questions and, by extension, outcomes.

Following her address, Allocco met with graduate students for an hour-long seminar on methodologies for the study of religion, where emerging researchers had the opportunity to ask questions about ethnography and research ethics as well as their own projects. Participants read two of Allocco’s journal articles, which had been selected by conference organizers as the starting point for this seminar.

On Saturday morning, Allocco delivered welcome remarks to inaugurate the full day of paper sessions. The symposium was sponsored by the University of Florida’s Department of Religion with support from its Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere.

While university administrators and faculty report that the word “multifaith” is often associated solely with belief in transcendent beings, they emphasize that, at ������Ƶ, it encompasses a broader invitation for the community to explore questions of meaning, value and purpose across religious, spiritual, ethical and secular worldviews.

The Multifaith Strategic Plan, developed in 2023, aligns with the Boldly ������Ƶ Strategic Plan and outlines four guiding goals:

• Increase religious diversity
• Foster a more equitable and inclusive campus community
• Support meaningful multifaith learning and engagement opportunities
• Articulate the educational value of multifaith diversity, equity and inclusion for all.

Together, they say, these goals build upon ������Ƶ’s longstanding traditions while expanding how the university honors and supports worldview diversity. The strategic plan affirms that graduates should be equipped to navigate a world shaped by differences in religion, belief systems, values and ways of life and that such preparation begins on campus.

Spirit of shared meaning

One of the most visible expressions of this commitment is Numen Lumen: Senior Baccalaureate Reflection, held Under the Oaks during Commencement Week. Reimagined in 2022, the ceremony reflects the ������Ƶ motto “numen lumen,” meaning “spiritual light” and “intellectual light.”

Rather than a traditional sermon, the gathering centers on shared reflection, celebration and inspiration, featuring student voices alongside readings and blessings drawn from a wide range of religious and cultural traditions.

“This will be a place for seniors to be able to come together with their friends and reflect together on their ������Ƶ journey,” said Rev. Kirstin Boswell, university chaplain and dean of multifaith engagement, when the redesign was introduced. “Baccalaureate is being reimagined as a space of pure celebration of the diversity within our graduating class.”

That same spirit of shared meaning is visible each December during the Festival of Lights and Luminaries, one of ������Ƶ’s most cherished traditions. The event brings the campus community together to learn about and honor a variety of religious, spiritual, ethical and cultural traditions, reinforcing the idea that multifaith engagement is not limited to formal spaces but woven into the rhythm of campus life.

This reflection is more than just once a year; it’s weekly. Every Thursday from 9:50 to 10:20 a.m., the ������Ƶ community is invited to Numen Lumen: A Thursday Inspiration, where they can hear members of the community share pieces of their stories, enjoy live music and artistic expression, and share in coffee and refreshments.

“T������ events are an invitation for every community member, regardless of religious, spiritual, or ethical tradition and worldview, to encounter perspectives and practices beyond our own,” said Hillary Zaken, director of multifaith programming and engagement. “They are unique spaces that are genuine and authentic celebrations of these important holidays, and at the same time make space for our community to practice skills of respectful engagement, learn about and honor diverse identities, and lift up the Truitt Center’s work to show that spiritual and intellectual growth belong together.”

Learning spaces

Through facilitated dialogue, educational programming and student leadership opportunities, ������Ƶ encourages exploration of worldview diversity as an essential component of a liberal arts education.

For example: the Ripple Interfaith Conference, a student-led initiative advised by Zaken that has grown steadily since its founding 10 years ago by an intern in the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life. Designed to empower and inspire interfaith student leaders, Ripple convenes participants from diverse religious, spiritual and ethical identities for dialogue and community-building.

The 2026 theme, “A Recipe for Interfaith,” invited participants in February to explore how connection is built through shared practices, particularly food. By examining meals, recipes and storytelling, the conference highlighted how everyday experiences can foster understanding across differences

“Interfaith engagement, like cooking, requires curiosity, patience and a readiness to experiment,” said Lauren Bedell ’26, co-director of the 2026 conference. “Ripple is designed to serve everyone, and its cook time is lifelong.”

Food and faith

Food also plays a role in ������Ƶ’s multifaith commitments. Harvest Table, the university’s dining partner, works closely with campus stakeholders to accommodate religious observances and dietary needs.

Passover meals are available in Lakeside Dining Hall during the Jewish holiday, to-go bags support students observing Ramadan and Lenten fish is served on Fridays for those abstaining from meat. The Phoenix Flavors Vending Machine in the Truitt Center includes Kosher, Halal and pareve options, while the allgood station in Lakeside offers Halal chicken daily.

������Ƶ’s commitment to multifaith engagement also shows in the religious and spiritual organizations that contribute to campus community and belonging. Through the Truitt Center, students can connect with recognized student groups representing diverse traditions and practices. These include communities such as Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM), which offers weekly Mass, retreats and service opportunities; ������Ƶ Hillel and Chabad, which provide social, cultural and spiritual support for Jewish students; and the ������Ƶ Muslim Society, where students celebrate Islamic traditions and engage in interfaith dialogue.

There are also Christian ministries like Campus Outreach, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, as well as contemplative and wellness groups like Iron Tree Blooming (meditation) and the Yoga Club—all open and welcoming spaces for students across different identities.

Buddhist Life offers opportunities for understanding and awareness of the Buddhadharma, including the Sand Mandala event each fall where a Buddhist monk visits ������Ƶ for three days and used colored sand to create a sand mandala, a Tibetan Buddhist symbol that fosters both healing and peace for those who view it. ������Ƶ enables Hindu students to engage with the religious tradition through events, services and forums, including the annual tradition of Diwali. A small, vibrant and diverse Pagan community is also supported at ������Ƶ.

Efforts reflect how ������Ƶ continues to honor its traditions while expanding multifaith engagement in intentional and meaningful ways. Through ceremony, dialogue, learning spaces and everyday practices, ������Ƶ affirms its commitment to preparing graduates who can engage thoughtfully and respectfully in a diverse and interconnected world.

“������Ƶ’s Multifaith Strategic Plan is a promise to our students, faculty, staff, and the wider community that we will take them seriously as whole, complex people,” said Brian Pennington, director of the Center for the Study of Religion, Culture, and Society. “It is also a commitment to our students that an ������Ƶ education will prepare them to lead in a world where interreligious understanding is crucial to a sound global community.”

This story is the first in a series of stories focusing on ������Ƶ’s Multifaith Strategic Plan. 

Their presentation, “Using Simulation to Bridge Faith and Health in a Non-Traditional Setting,” highlighted a unique, interdisciplinary approach to simulation design that integrates healthcare, ethics and religious studies. Developed as part of Koonts’ Bridging Faith and Health work, in collaboration with interdisciplinary partners ������Ƶ faculty members Brian Pennington and Helen Orr, and supported by Interfaith America, the project addresses a growing need to prepare future nurses to navigate complex patient situations where religious beliefs, patient autonomy and evidence-based practice intersect.

The session showcased a multi-module educational initiative and an accompanying simulation experience designed to foster interprofessional collaboration, communication, and clinical judgment in ethically challenging scenarios. By engaging learners in realistic, non-traditional simulation environments, the project aims to strengthen students’ ability to deliver patient-centered care while respecting diverse values and beliefs.

Conference participants responded enthusiastically to the presentation, particularly its emphasis on:

• Addressing moral distress in clinical practice
• Enhancing interprofessional education (IPE)
• Expanding simulation beyond traditional clinical settings
• Promoting culturally and spiritually sensitive care

This work is part of a broader, Interfaith America grant-funded initiative that will continue over the next two years, with plans to expand the simulation model and contribute to the growing body of knowledge in faith-health integration and simulation-based education.

The conference brought together educators and simulation specialists from across the state to explore emerging trends such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality and innovative teaching strategies. ������Ƶ’s contribution reflects the department’s ongoing commitment to excellence in nursing education, leadership in simulation and preparation of practice-ready graduates.

Pamela Runestad, assistant professor of anthropology, has been named the 2026-2028 Scholar for the Center for the Study of Religion, Culture, and Society (CSRCS). During her term, Runestad will focus on resources for faculty and staff with community engaged experiences in their courses. Additionally, she will help build CSRCS capacity for student research, internships and foster campuswide engagement. Runestad will assume her position on June 1, 2026.

“I’m really excited to bring together expertise from CSRCS and PERCS regarding best practices for class site visits to religious sites so that we have resources for faculty and staff who facilitate community engaged experiences as part of their courses. I hope these will be useful for in-house courses and winter term courses abroad,” Runestad said.

CSRCS Director Brian Pennington says that Runestad’s “expertise in Japan and in medical anthropology will bring new skills and insights to the CSRCS. Her commitments to student learning and to campus culture are well known, and we will be excited to welcome her on board.”

Runestad is a Food Studies faculty member and is a medical anthropologist who began to combine interests in biology, social studies, and culture while teaching in Nagano, Japan, from 2000 to 2006. She moved to Honolulu to study medical anthropology in 2006 and returned to Japan for her doctoral research on HIV/AIDS, supported by Fulbright-Hays and the Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation, from 2009 to 2013. She is particularly interested in medical narratives, and biocultural aspects of infectious disease, chronic conditions and nutrition.

“As a medical anthropologist, I’m also excited to contribute to the ‘Bridging Faith and Health’ microcredential and related conversations about interdisciplinary health and human experience on campus. My own research explores socio-cultural and religious components of maternity clinic strategies to engage patient-clients as the birthrate continues to decline in Japan,” said Runestad. “Sometimes religious underpinnings of everyday practices are difficult to discern or are more complicated than they appear at first glance. Attending to those underpinnings can make root causes of social issues clearer.”

This year’s symposium, “Sensorial Cosmologies and Cultural Resistance in Latin America,” explored political strategies, activism, and theoretical interventions for combatting cultural homogenization in Latin America and the Caribbean. Presenters engaged themes such as religion, cosmology and critical theory; gender justice and eco-feminism; and migration from the global south and racial inequality in the USA.

Seventeen scholars from across the US joined ������Ƶ faculty conveners Federico Pous (World Languages and Cultures), Leyla Savloff (Sociology and Anthropology), and Juan Leal Ugalde (World Languages and Cultures) to feature work on counternarratives and cultural resistance offered by Indigenous cosmogony and artistic creation. Presentations included  topics such as “Catholic Feminism and Reproductive Justice in Argentina,” “Resistance in Apu Kolki Hirka,” “Revival in the Sikiru Movement,” and “Trans Migrant Women’s Spatial Practices in Queens.”

“The quality of papers presented, and the intellectual conversation we held at the symposium were very stimulating,” said Federico Pous, associate professor of Spanish. “We are currently preparing a dossier for the very well-known journal Acontracorriente, in which most of the participants at the symposium will publish an article on the topic of sensorious cosmologies. I hope to continue organizing academic encounters like this one in the future.”

This year’s keynote presentation, “Contemporary Audiovisuality as a Site of Cosmological Inscription,” was delivered by Ana M. Ochoa, professor of music and ethnomusicology at Tulane University. Her lecture outlined her collaborative work on audio production among indigenous filmmakers in South America.

“The global politics of migration calls us to think how media, audiovisual and sound technologies are not simply a way to broadcast entertainment, art, or events. They have been part of the fabric of a sensorial cosmological transformation in the make-up of life and how we think of it,” said Ochoa. “This is not only the case when, for example, indigenous peoples film their myths, or participate in transnational art events to affirm their cultures and cosmologies, but also as we trace the historical links between extractivism, the soundscape of life, and audiovisual sensoriums.”

CSRCS Director Brian Pennington emphasized that supporting ������Ƶ faculty scholarship is a primary purpose of the symposium.

“Symposium participants, led by Drs. Savloff and Pous, have already developed a detailed roadmap for publishing these papers, and we are excited about the important collection that will result,” said Pennington.

For more information, visit the On the Edge Symposium webpage.

This year’s conference centered around the theme of “Shifting Identities and Fractured Communities.” Student paper topics ranged from the theocratic turn in US anti-abortion politics to a sentiment analysis of religious texts. Their international research took them to the south of Spain; their rigorous methods included ethnographic interviews and visual analysis of the Billy Graham Library; and their conclusions contributed to important conversations about Judeo-Christian nationalism in US higher education and the ramifications of abortion abolitionist legislation.

The American Academy of Religion is the largest scholarly organization in the world dedicated to the professional study of religion. Roughly three hundred scholars working at colleges and universities in this region regularly participate in the annual meeting. The regional meeting also offers limited spots for undergraduate students to present their academic research and engage with professional scholars from across the region.

Four sessions were held to showcase undergraduate research, and ������Ƶ students garnered five of the 16 highly competitive undergraduate slots. One of the five students was also an ������Ƶ College Fellow and a member of ������Ƶ’s Multifaith Scholars program, led by Director Amy Allocco. Two students were presenting research for the Honors and Lumen programs, and two students took the initiative to craft their own credit-bearing undergraduate research project for ELR. All five students were closely mentored in their discipline by an ������Ƶ faculty member who helped to guide their research and prepare their presentations over the course of their junior and senior years. The papers will also be delivered before ������Ƶ audiences at the Spring Undergraduate Research Forum, Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

Support for travel was provided by the Center for the Study of Religion, Culture, and Society, the Department of Religious Studies and the Office of Undergraduate Research. The funding also supported a small student group of conference observers as well as group co-organizer Amy Allocco, professor and distinguished scholar of religious studies.

Undergraduate Research Presentations

Alyssa Carney (MFS, ECF), “Echoes of Al-Andalus: Islamophobia and Migration in Spain” (Sandy Marshall, mentor)

Mallory Fahrlender, “Abortion Abolition Extremism: The Theocratic Turn in US Anti-Abortion Politics (Toddie Peters, mentor)

Kelsey Golden, “New Crusaders, Old Problems: Crusade as Cognitive Domain in the Billy Graham Library” (Lynn Huber and Evan Gatti, mentors)

Bunny Ingram, “Faith and Feeling: A Sentiment Analysis of Religious Texts” (Heather Barker, mentor)

Ben Kaplan, “Judeo-Christian Nationalism and Jewish Ethics in American Political Myth” (Andrew Monteith, mentor)

������Ƶ Faculty Presentations

Andrew Monteith, “‘Hatred Is the Right Response to Evil’: Judeo-Christian Nationalism, The Heritage Foundation, and Donald Trump’s War Against Higher Education”

Amy L. Allocco, professor of religious studies and director of the Multifaith Scholars program at ������Ƶ, has published a new article in the International Journal of Hindu Studies examining how ritual practices in Tamil-speaking South India engage with alcohol abuse and suicide and serve as a site for a gendered ethic of refusal. The article, “ appeared in a recent special issue focused on Hindu narratives and practices in the contemporary world, guest edited by Tracy Pintchman (Loyola University Chicago).

Drawing on long-term ethnographic fieldwork in Tamil Nadu, Allocco analyzes Hindu rituals that invite deceased women to return as protective family deities called pūvāṭaikkāris. Although these rituals were traditionally reserved for auspicious wives who died “good” deaths, in recent years, women who died via suicide have also featured in these rites, particularly in response to their husbands’ alcohol abuse. Through close attention to ritual dialogue and performance, the article shows how these ceremonies create space for confronting gendered suffering and social injustice, particularly the effects of male alcoholism on women’s lives. Allocco argues that these ritual encounters allow both living and deceased women to voice grievances, demand accountability, and articulate forms of ethical protest. In doing so, the rituals illuminate broader social realities in contemporary India, where suicide rates have risen sharply and debates over alcohol policy remain politically charged.

Geoffrey Claussen, professor of religious studies, Lori and Eric Sklut Professor in Jewish Studies and chair of the Department of Religious Studies at ������Ƶ, edited a special issue of the Journal of Jewish Ethics honoring his long-time mentor, Louis Newman.

Newman, the John M. and Elizabeth W. Musser Professor of Religious Studies, Emeritus, at Carleton College and former dean of academic advising and associate vice provost for undergraduate education at Stanford University, is one of the world’s leading scholars of Jewish ethics and one of the founders of Jewish ethics as an academic field. He was the founding president of the Society of Jewish Ethics and founding coeditor of this journal.

In his editor’s introduction to the special issue, Claussen recounts how studying with Newman at Carleton College first kindled his interest in Religious Studies and Jewish Studies and eventually inspired him to also become a scholar of Jewish ethics.

In the issue, thirteen scholars engage, respond to and build on Newman’s work. Claussen’s article in the journal is titled “Lessons in Intellectual Honesty and Humility: Studying Jewish Ethics with the Guidance of Louis Newman.”

This year’s theme, “History in the Making,” highlights the power, creativity and resilience of Black individuals who continue to shape the world today. Black history is not confined to the past, it is a living story unfolding daily in our communities, classrooms, workplaces and beyond. From leaders advancing justice and equity to innovators influencing art, science, politics and culture, the theme honors those actively shaping the future. History in the Making reminds us that progress is not only remembered — it is created.

“As we reflect on the legacies that paved the way, we also recognize and uplift the changemakers of today who carry that torch forward, ensuring that the story of Black excellence, empowerment and endurance continues to inspire generations to come,” Abdul-Malik Harrison, assistant director of the CREDE, said.

This year will include the annual kickoff event, carnival, Black History Honth basketball game, Black Solidarity Conference and return of the Tiny Shelf Concert. New this year, the CREDE, in collaboration with the Truitt Center for Spiritual and Religious Life and the Center for the Study of Religion, Culture and Society (CSRCS), will host an interactive exhibit exploring the history of Black American Muslims.

If you have any questions, please contact Abdul-Malik Harrison at aharrison16@elon.edu or (336) 278-7243.

Black History Month 2026 Events at ������Ƶ

Black History Month Kick Off
Monday, Feb. 2 | 5:30–7 p.m.
McKinnon Hall

The Empowerment Experience
Thursday, Feb. 5 | 5:30 p.m.
Belk Library, KLC 127

The EmpowerMENt Experience invites male-identifying students to explore and redefine masculinity through engaging activities and a culminating discussion to better understand healthy manhood.

Honoring the Legacy of Imam WD Muhammad: Roots, Routes and Resistance
Wednesday, Feb. 4 & Thursday, Feb. 5 | 9 a.m.–5 p.m. & 10:30 a.m.–5 p.m.
McBride Gathering Space

Join Muslim Life, the CSRCS, and the Truitt Center for an interactive exhibit exploring the history of Black American Muslims, aligned with this year’s Black History Month theme, “History in the Making: Honoring our Roots, Routes, and Resistance.” The walk-through traces the community’s roots, its growth from Chicago, and the role of Islam as a pathway of resistance for Black Americans.

Black Table Talk
Wednesday, Feb. 11 | 5:30–7 p.m.
McBride Gathering Space

Tiny Shelf Concert
Friday, Feb. 13 | 5:30–7 p.m.
Belk Library

A Tiny Shelf Concert that highlights the rich cultural contributions of Black artists and ������Ƶ Jazz Studies! Come through, be inspired, and honor Black excellence through the power of music!

African American Literature Read-In
Tuesday, Feb. 17 | 5–6:30 p.m.
Belk Library 113

Gather to read aloud or just listen as folks share favorite works by African American writers. Poetry, stories, excerpts, quotes, etc. Light refreshments provided!

Black History Month Basketball Game
Friday, Feb. 20 | 7 p.m.
Schar Center

Cheer on your Lady Phoenix as they face off against Campbell. Come for the game, stay for the opportunity to win some cool prizes!

Carnaval Celebration
Wednesday, Feb. 25 | 5:30–7 p.m.
McKinnon Hall

Carnival is a lively celebration of music, dance, costumes, and parades, celebrated worldwide—most famously in Brazil—and in places like Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti, Colombia and Bolivia, each with its own unique traditions.

Black Solidarity Conference
Friday, Feb. 27 | Noon–5:30 p.m.
McKinnon Hall

The ������Ƶ Black Solidarity Conference is dedicated to bringing together students, faculty, and community members to celebrate community, explore Black identity and intersectionality, and strengthen solidarity across campus.

Africa Night
Saturday, Feb. 28 | 6–8:30 p.m.
Alumni Gym

African Night celebrates the rich diversity of Africa under the theme “One Continent, Many Stories” through music, dance, food and performances, offering an opportunity to connect with our community, explore vibrant cultures, share traditions, and honor the beauty and unity of African heritage.

The collection, edited by Jonathan K. Crane, Emily Filler, and Mira Beth Wasserman, is titled “Modern Jewish Ethics Since 1970: Writings on Methods, Sources, and Issues” and published by Brandeis University Press as part of the Brandeis Library of Modern Jewish Thought.

Claussen’s article, “Musar in a White Supremacist Society: Arrogance, Self-Examination, and Systemic Change,” was first published in 2021 in “No Time for Neutrality: American Rabbinic Voices from an Era of Upheaval,” edited by Michael Rose Knopf with Miriam Aniel.