Newman House visitors might notice a few changes to the chapel this semester — the possibility of wireless Internet, cable television, revised mass schedules, and a new chaplain and his dog.
Rev. Corey VanKuren, who became the new chaplain of Newman House when Rev. Bob Sullivan retired last semester, said he hadn’t planned to bring his dog, Maggie, originally.
“She’s a barker,” VanKuren laughed.
VanKuren, a native of Binghamton, said he changed his mind and brought Maggie with him to the house when he moved in shortly before the semester started.
“Another adult said to let the dog out and the kids were all over her,” VanKuren said, remembering one of the first times he had parishioners over after mass. VanKuren explained that he had kept Maggie in a separate room so that she wouldn’t overwhelm guests. “It was like I was chopped liver — Maggie took right over.”
Though VanKuren hadn’t been involved with the campus ministry before his appointment, he did have a connection.
“Before Father Bob became chaplain here [at Binghamton University], he taught high school,” VanKuren said. “He was my homeroom teacher.”
Some of the students who have gotten to know VanKuren, who has been a priest for 22 years, during the first few weeks of the semester have said they’re impressed with the new chaplain’s attitude.
“He’s very enthusiastic,” said Caitlyn Edmundson, a junior math major and activities coordinator for Newman House.
Edmundson said VanKuren held mass with Sullivan a few times last semester to help him transition into the new position.
“He brought a lot of new ideas with him,” Edmundson said, noting the differences between VanKuren and Sullivan. “I think there’s been a smooth transition.”
Jackie Gaug, a junior biochemistry major who works at Newman House, said she was also impressed by VanKuren.
“I really like him,” Gaug, who does bookkeeping for the chapel, said. “He’s pretty sincere and I really like working for him.”
Gaug said VanKuren has plans to update the house and make it more modern.
“He’s planning to move the office downstairs to make it a little more accessible,” Gaug said. ”It [the house] hasn’t really been updated since Father Bob moved in.”
However, VanKuren isn’t just updating the house. He’s also revised the mass schedule.
“We have three masses on Sundays and two were in the mornings,” VanKuren explained. “College students aren’t exactly morning people, so I thought it would be better to have more evening times.”
VanKuren said he was pleasantly surprised by the spirituality of the students he’s met so far.
“I was amazed,” VanKuren said of mass turnout during the first few weeks. “Students are seeking truth in their studies here, and our goal [at Newman House] is to walk with them during their faith walk here.”
“This has been a tremendous experience so far,” VanKuren added.