By Michael Mandigo, Staff Writer
Spring 2019 interfaith fellows, seniors Mitch Roshannon and Hannah Antoine and sophomore Renika Weimer, will be taking on the task of understanding and appreciating diverse religious traditions through the introduction of the Interfaith Fellows Program.
The goal of the program is to increase the knowledge-base and skill-set of potential leaders who will attempt to appreciate and understand the many faiths which make up American society, according to the program’s proposal flyer.
These leaders’ missions will be to facilitate an interfaith engagement opportunity for the campus, as well as to become leaders in the interfaith community.
Each of the fellows will receive a stipend of $500 for meeting for five hours a week for 10 weeks.
These students were hand selected from a group of applicants for their willingness to learn and understand various religious groups and their potential to demonstrate leadership when handling such engagements.
The program is not directly affiliated with any specific religion, so students with any or no religious identity were encouraged to apply.
“I think [the fellowship] is important because I’ve noticed that in this area of Pennsylvania and on this campus, religious intolerance is widespread,” Weimer said.
“There are so many misconceptions out there and becoming part of this cohort in order to facilitate an interfaith engagement on campus is a great opportunity,” she continued.
For Weimer, the dedication to this cause goes beyond her experience getting involved with interfaith engagements; She believes it is an essential part of society.
“I think everyone should take time to learn about traditions other than their own and I’m excited to be part of a group that can make that happen,” Weimer said.
Susquehanna Chaplain Scott Kershner will be overseeing the program and is looking forward to the program’s implementation on campus.
“It’s about understanding, and with this program it also brings a sense of leadership,” Kershner said. “Leaders bring people together and as civic leaders, we bring people together in a diverse society.”
Kershner also emphasized the importance of understanding the diverse nature of American society, because to him understanding and tolerance is what makes people good citizens.
“Why is it important? It’s really the basic skills of citizenship to understand others,” Kershner added.
The grant was made possible through the Interfaith Youth Core, according to Weimer.
The fellows met for the first time Jan. 31 to begin planning campus-wide activities to involve the students in experiencing religious tolerance and helping others become more well versed in various religions.