On Claiming Williams Day, I found myself at the panel “Meaning-Making at the Crossroads: The Role of Chaplaincy in Campus Life.” The panelists — both chaplains from Tufts University — discussed growth, community, and spirituality on college campuses and how to make spiritual life at colleges accessible to all. The panelist that most intrigued me was Anthony Cruz Pantojas, Tufts’ humanist chaplain.
Humanism is a unique philosophy that draws its faith from humanity. It invites people to study and question the ways in which we make our way through the world. As Pantojas explained, he strives to create “opportunities to inquire about the human condition by plumbing the complexities of power and interrelatedness in the here and now.”
As a humanist myself, I resonate with former honorary President of the American Humanist Association Kurt Vonnegut’s definition: “Being a Humanist means trying to behave decently without expectation of rewards or punishment after you are dead.” I understand humanism as being a good person for the sake of being a good person.
Although they can be a part of any religion, humanists are often atheists or agnostics. I myself am an atheist, but I also believe in Quaker values and attend meeting for worship. I discovered humanism by reading Kurt Vonnegut’s work. His books are frequently targeted in book bans because they are “anti-Christian.” Atheists sometimes have the reputation of being immoral, cynics, or haters of religion. This is not the case.
Spirituality is a personal connection to something greater than oneself. For many people spirituality is a connection to God. Atheists are spiritual in other ways and find meaning outside of religion. Spiritual growth should also be accessible to students who do not believe in a higher power. Atheists also deserve the opportunity to explore their values with the same care and attention that religious people put into analyzing their texts, and humanist chaplains like Cruz Pantojas are a resource for this type of spiritual growth.
The Pew Research Center reports that 7 percent of Americans and 11 percent of American college graduates are atheist or agnostic, which is greater than the percentages of Jews and Muslims combined for each demographic. Only a few universities in the United States — among them, Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Stanford, and New York University — have had humanist chaplains. This is strange, given that those in higher education are more likely to be atheists. Hiring a humanist chaplain would create a space for hundreds of students at Williams.
I appreciate that the College has a Protestant chaplain, a Catholic chaplain, a Muslim chaplain, and a Jewish chaplain. It is certainly important for students of these religions to connect with their faiths in college. However, students of other faiths are left wanting. A humanist chaplain would also serve as a spiritual guide and emotional support for those students who are not represented by the chaplains in the Chaplains’ Office. Not every school has the resources to have a humanist chaplain but they are a valuable resource for all students due to their inclusive beliefs.
Humanist chaplains can help another group that may feel left behind by the chaplain’s office: atheists who have experienced prejudice and those with religious trauma. For all of the good that organized religion has done, it has also done a great deal of harm. Religious beliefs and personal experiences can sometimes come in conflict causing one to be severed from their spirituality and creating lasting effects on individuals. These students could benefit from having a humanist chaplain to help them on their journey of spiritual healing with someone that is removed from organized religion.
For many, spiritual health is an essential aspect of mental health. The College’s Integrative Wellbeing Services does a good job of providing mental health resources, but many students also require other spiritual health resources. A humanist chaplain could also give valuable insight into how the chaplain’s office approaches supporting students.
Humanism is special in that it embraces a wide range of beliefs while promoting humanity and love for our fellow man. The College should seriously consider including humanism in their chaplaincies so that safe spiritual development is open to all students.

Pauli Voelkel ’27 is from Penn Valley, Pa.