Chaplain to redefine role at U.

First minority chaplain in Penn's history brings enthusiasm and a commitment to increased presence Last year, the Rev. William Gipson spent his free time cheering on the Princeton Tigers at Jadwin Gymnasium as the school's associate dean of religious life. But now the new Penn chaplain is wearing a Quakers football hat and plans to buy season tickets for basketball games at the Palestra. "My loyalty is to the Red and Blue now," Gipson said. During his initial two months as chaplain, Gipson has conveyed his enthusiasm and commitment to Penn by becoming immersed in the University community. He said he hopes to continue the work of his predecessors, but also has specific goals for his own term. "This chaplaincy is the best in the Ivy League, and University administrators and I are concerned with presenting opportunities for students," Gipson said. "There will be opportunities for diverse groups of people to become engaged in campus religious life. Then it is my job to lift up their voices." As the permanent replacement for former Chaplain Stanley Johnson, who was also previously affiliated with Princeton, Gipson said he is looking to fill a role that has undergone many changes. Though Johnson primarily developed the position during his 34-year tenure, Interim Chaplain Frederic Guyott further modified the job during the last year. Gipson, an African American, is the first minority chaplain in the University's history. But he said he that never occurred to him until the final round of interviews for the position. Race does not seem to be a major factor in Gipson's plans to "energize" the religious life at the University. But he said he looks forward to working with the University's gospel choir and celebrating cultural holidays on campus. "I hope people will flock to my office because I am chaplain," Gipson said. "There are many reasons why students could be attracted to me -- possibly because I am a Baptist, a Southerner, or maybe because I am black." Thus far, the new chaplain said he has found University students to be very spiritual. In order to reach as many people as possible, Gipson has developed three specific goals to achieve during the semester. His immediate project is learning the "history, lore and tradition" of the University. After Gipson achieves a "deep understanding," he said he will begin to schedule seminars about issues including sexuality and miracles, along with interfaith and interracial relationships. Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum said she has greatly enjoyed working with Gipson on New Student Orientation activities and on a number of individual student matters. "I have found Rev. Gipson to be a warm, compassionate, thoughtful and eloquent community member who has already made enormous contributions to the Penn family," McCoullum said. "I think the search committee members gave an excellent recommendation to the president and provost and I believe they have given us a terrific new member of the family!" Gipson said he plans to continue Guyott's restructuring of the University's Interfaith Council. Gipson is gathering students to participate in the group because he feels too many administrators currently dominate the activities. Working with all University students is a goal for Gipson, who wishes to be remembered for being "there when people needed me." Already, he has organized a memorial service for a University graduate and has held meeting with various students. "One of my top priorities is meeting with student leaders and religious leaders both in the University and surrounding community," Gipson said. "The city of West Philadelphia is a major part of Penn's identity and I plan to take full advantage of it." Gipson also said he admires University community service groups and plans to become active in the city, starting by enrolling his two daughters in a city school. Gipson and his family now live in Upper Darby, Pa., but he plans to move to West Philadelphia next summer. The family is spending every Sunday "shopping" for a home church in the area. Gipson is a Baptist minister who was ordained deacon and elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. His "calling" for a religious life did not come until late in his college years. Gipson attended the University of Louisiana at Monroe and majored in journalism with the intention of attending law school. He still follows the news avidly. "At Princeton I read The Washington Post and The New York Times every day, but now I read the Post and The Philadelphia Inquirer," Gipson said. "I am also a CNN Headline News junkie." The move from Princeton to rival Penn has treated Gipson well, he said. "I am so excited and happy to have the chaplain position here," Gipson said. "I think Penn should continue its tradition of taking people from Princeton."