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Interfaith Center searches for new permanent director

Some talk of the Interfaith Center pertains to the past, such as the small but diverse library that began from one man's book collection.

Some discussion of the center refers to the future. For example, hopes of installing geothermal heating that relies on the natural energy from the ground to regulate heating.

As the Interfaith Center, located as 913 S. Illinois Ave, begins to make changes and improve on its already existing facilities, a new face, Erika Peterson, prepares to guide the center in its mission.

Peterson, described by board member Yolan Presley as, "full of energy, smart and articulate", officially took on the position of interim director on Aug 1. She will fulfill the role as interim director throughout the next few months as the center continues to search for a permanent director after the retirement for former director Hugh Muldoon.

Peterson is a graduate of the University of Washington, where she received a degree in social psychology. She spent the past year on the Board of Directors of the center, and after being involved in the search for a new director, decided to apply for the position herself.

Muldoon held the position for seven years prior to his retirement in June. Muldoon was very much supportive of the selection of Peterson as interim director and believes she will bring a youthful yet experienced perspective to the center.

"She's a good person, she's smart, dedicated and has a good feel for what needs to be done as far as the interfaith ministries," Muldoon said. "She's youthful and has all the qualities that make her perfect for the job."

The familiarity Peterson developed while serving on the board of the Interfaith Center has helped in the choice to make some basic but imperative decisions concerning the center. The Interfaith Center has always been a place that celebrates and spotlights issues of religion and spirituality, as well as the environment. It provides offices and meeting places for students and members of the community concerned about the latter areas.

The center has always been known as a place of diversity where people of various denominations could come to celebrate their religion and spirituality, whatever it may be.

According to Peterson, the center hopes to work in the next year to provide a more specific definition of the center.

"Our goal for this year is to take stock in who we are, what our goals are and how we plan to reach them," Peterson said. "A big issue that the board of directors is going to take the time to think about is what 'interfaith' means."

The mission of the center has changed since its beginning in1960 as the Student Christian Foundation. According to Peterson, the center has seen some changes in its definition since it began catering to the needs of a diverse group of faiths. Hillel, a national foundation for college students of the Jewish faith, is one of many groups that meet at the center. Peterson said the board would work in the upcoming months to define not only the goals of the Interfaith Center, but also what goals they want in their new director.

Because the upcoming months are part of what members refer to as "a year of transition," they said it would probably be somewhere around January before they can even decide on what they desire in a potential director. They plan to make this decision and resume the review of candidates at this time in hopes of having a permanent director by fall 2005.

Presley said aside from small concerns with funding, the center would like to continue on the same basic path as far as catering to the needs of diverse faiths on campus. She said the center is searching for the candidate that possesses the same interests and enthusiasm for the center, as well as the goals for current members.

"We want someone with the same enthusiasm and the same interest in the mission we're trying to accomplish, which is incorporating all faiths, peace and justice for everyone and the earth as well," said Presley, who organized the library in the Interfaith Center. " It's a terrific place as it is, and most of what we need to do is continue what we are doing."