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The Dartmouth
July 28, 2025 | Latest Issue
The Dartmouth
Alison Schmauch and Allison Forbes
The Setonian
News

Crocker to serve as College's new chaplain

Dartmouth recently hired a new chaplain, Dr. Richard Crocker, who is currently senior pastor at Central Presbyterian Church in Montclair, N.J. Crocker's duties as chaplain will include leading the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life within the Tucker Foundation and directing the diverse campus religious groups that comprise the United Campus Ministry. Crocker will also be responsible for presiding over certain events and special services at Dartmouth and will serve as a general resource for students, he said. He said that he hopes most to "help the Dartmouth community develop deeper religious concerns" and to "help people understand and appreciate the role of religious belief." Dartmouth has not had a full-time chaplain in two years. Until Crocker's arrival, a series of interim chaplains have filled the position. Sylvia Langford, dean of upperclass students and a member of the search committee, was relatively unconcerned about the absence of a permanent chaplain for the past two years. However, chaplains can "frame things from a faith perspective," something that the current Tucker administration will not do readily. She envisioned Crocker working with students in small groups in areas like residence halls, carefully talking through faith-related issues. Langford also said that the frantic pace of life at Dartmouth often prevents students and faculty from taking time for quiet contemplation.

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