Spiritual and Religious Life

Rev. Dr. Jane Ellen Nickell is College Chaplain. An ordained United Methodist minister, Jane Ellen oversees the Spiritual and Religious Life program, leads ecumenical worship on Sunday, takes part in other ritual events in the life of the College, and teaches in the Department of Religious Studies. She advises Sojourners Christian Fellowship and Interfaith Fellowship and is available to assist students of any faith in their spiritual search. Students can see her during office hours on Monday and Thursday afternoons, by appointment, or when she hosts students at her home, where they can also visit with Felix and Fanny, her feline companions.

Rev. Fr. Marc Solomon is the Catholic Campus Minister. Fr. Marc is a priest of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Erie and is assigned to Allegheny College, as well as the St. Mary of Grace Church in Meadville. He celebrates Masses during the academic year on Sunday evenings and is advisor to the Allegheny Newman Association and Allegheny Students for Life. He is available to students during office hours on Monday and Thursday afternoons. Fr. Marc is a graduate of Indiana University of PA and St. Mary Seminary and University in Baltimore, and he has served in Meadville since July 2010.

Rachel Dingman serves as both advisor to Hillel and an Assistant Director in the Admissions office, focusing on recruitment and retention of Jewish students. As Hillel Advisor, she works with students to sponsor cultural, religious, educational, and social events for the Jewish community at Allegheny. A former Hillel president, varsity swimmer, and active Alleghenian, Rachel returns to her alma mater after working for VISTA at various colleges in Maine for two years.

Mollie Little is on staff with the Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO), a campus ministry that partners with churches, colleges and organizations to develop men and women who live out their Christian faith in every area of life. She advises Allegheny Christian Outreach, a student-led, evangelical, interdenominational fellowship. Her full-time job is mother to three little ones, but she and her husband Jeff love to open their home to students. In addition to the Spiritual and Religious Life Office, she can often be found in the Campus Center meeting with students.

Dan Beard advises the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is an assistant coach with the Gators football team. After an outstanding collegiate career at Shenandoah University, Dan served as a strength and conditioning intern at James Madison University. He also has four years of coaching experience at the Century Knights Football Camp and the Randy Edsall Football Camp at the University of Connecticut. In 2009, he was an ESPN The Magazine First Team Academic All-District selection, and he was named to the USA South All-Academic Team in 2008 and 2009. Following the 2010 slate, Beard was presented with the Walter Barr Unsung Hero Award.

Rabbi Ronald Bernstein-Goff conducts Jewish religious services on campus and works with the religious life staff in promoting and enhancing interfaith programs and activities. As a full-time Visiting Professor in the Religious Studies Department, he teaches a variety of courses focusing on aspects of Judaism as well as relationships between Jews, Christians, and Muslims. “Rabbi Ron” is available for consultation or conversation at his office in Oddfellows.

Brenda Armstrong is Religious Life Assistant and works with each member of the religious life staff to coordinate religious life activities. Brenda began work at Allegheny College as a part-time secretary in the Campus Ministry Office in December of 1989 and became full-time when the community service program was launched and housed under Campus Ministry the following year. Brenda’s history with this office makes her an invaluable member of our staff, and her warm hospitality welcomes every visitor. Brenda spends much of her spare time reading, crocheting, and enjoying her four grandchildren.