Canterbury Northwestern
EPISCOPAL Campus Ministry
EPISCOPAL Campus Ministry
Meet Our Chaplain!
The Rev. Leigh VanderMeer
Leigh is an ordained priest in the Episcopal Church with a passion for leadership development - nurturing, forming and “equipping others for the work of ministry.”
Prior to earning a Masters of Divinity Degree from right here in the neighborhood at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, she graduated from Western Illinois University with a degree in Psychology before embarking upon a professional career in the community mental health setting, working in both group and individual therapeutic settings. She is presently working on the completion of a certificate in Appreciative Coaching, through the Clergy Leadership Institute.
Rev. VanderMeer feels blessed with the opportunity to combine multiple interests and passions with the ultimate call of leading people into a deeper relationship with God, along with being entrusted with the spiritual care and guidance of the students and other members of the NU community.
Other passions include, when weather permits, gardening, biking, hiking, whitewater rafting, and snorkeling. She also dreams about developing her artistic interest in photography. She has two children-Tyler, a junior at Illinois State University and Mary, a high school senior. Visitors to Canterbury Northwestern, of which she hopes there are many, might also have an opportunity to meet her wonderfully friendly dog, Kenny.
Leigh is an ordained priest in the Episcopal Church with a passion for leadership development - nurturing, forming and “equipping others for the work of ministry.”
Prior to earning a Masters of Divinity Degree from right here in the neighborhood at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, she graduated from Western Illinois University with a degree in Psychology before embarking upon a professional career in the community mental health setting, working in both group and individual therapeutic settings. She is presently working on the completion of a certificate in Appreciative Coaching, through the Clergy Leadership Institute.
Rev. VanderMeer feels blessed with the opportunity to combine multiple interests and passions with the ultimate call of leading people into a deeper relationship with God, along with being entrusted with the spiritual care and guidance of the students and other members of the NU community.
Other passions include, when weather permits, gardening, biking, hiking, whitewater rafting, and snorkeling. She also dreams about developing her artistic interest in photography. She has two children-Tyler, a junior at Illinois State University and Mary, a high school senior. Visitors to Canterbury Northwestern, of which she hopes there are many, might also have an opportunity to meet her wonderfully friendly dog, Kenny.
Meet Our Members
The students, staff and faculty of Northwestern University. . .
. . . are all welcome to participate in the life of our community!
We try hard to practice radical hospitality stressing the dignity of every human being. Canterbury Northwestern is an inclusive, welcoming place to bring your beliefs, your struggles, your questions, your causes and lay them at the altar of the One who came as Love incarnate. We are an open, accepting worshiping community and we hope to get to know you. Contact the Chaplain at canterburynu@sbcglobal.net.
. . . are all welcome to participate in the life of our community!
We try hard to practice radical hospitality stressing the dignity of every human being. Canterbury Northwestern is an inclusive, welcoming place to bring your beliefs, your struggles, your questions, your causes and lay them at the altar of the One who came as Love incarnate. We are an open, accepting worshiping community and we hope to get to know you. Contact the Chaplain at canterburynu@sbcglobal.net.
Meet Our Board.
The Rev. Clyde Ellege
Clyde is our Board President in addition to serving as the rector of Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady, Gurnee, IL.
He is married to the Rev. Kathryn Elledge and has two children.
Clyde earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Kansas and Master of Divinity from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary.
Clyde is our Board President in addition to serving as the rector of Church of the Annunciation of Our Lady, Gurnee, IL.
He is married to the Rev. Kathryn Elledge and has two children.
Clyde earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Kansas and Master of Divinity from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary.
Jennifer Dondiego
Jenn is a WCAS senior majoring in religion. She is a cradle Episcopalian from the diocese of New York, and is discerning a call to ministry. Jenn has been involved in the Diocese of Chicago as a delegate to convention and an assistant youth minister. She leads Late Nite Worship with students at University Lutheran Church and makes Wednesday dinners.
Jenn is a WCAS senior majoring in religion. She is a cradle Episcopalian from the diocese of New York, and is discerning a call to ministry. Jenn has been involved in the Diocese of Chicago as a delegate to convention and an assistant youth minister. She leads Late Nite Worship with students at University Lutheran Church and makes Wednesday dinners.
The Rev. Robert O. Wyatt
Bob is rector at St. Helena's Episcopal Church, Burr Ridge, IL. Before ordination in 2004, he was director of
communication research and professor at Middle Tennessee State University for 25 years. Wyatt served as survey research adviser to the Freedom Forum First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University and book review editor for the Nashville Tennessean.
He has chaired Pulitzer Prize juries four times and received research awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and the World Association for Public Opinion Research. He is author of Free Expression and the American Public (ASNE, 1991) and co-author of Free Expression in Five Democratic Publics (Hampton, 2004).
He also served as a trustee and as adjunct professor of church history at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary. He is currently a trustee of Episcopal Charities and Community Services and St. Augustine College, Chicago.
Wyatt holds a bachelor's degree from the University of the South, Sewanee, master's degrees from Northwestern University, the University of Tennessee, and Vanderbilt University Divinity School, and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University.
His wife, Terri Lackey, is managing editor of Lutheran Woman Today.
Bob is rector at St. Helena's Episcopal Church, Burr Ridge, IL. Before ordination in 2004, he was director of
communication research and professor at Middle Tennessee State University for 25 years. Wyatt served as survey research adviser to the Freedom Forum First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University and book review editor for the Nashville Tennessean.
He has chaired Pulitzer Prize juries four times and received research awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and the World Association for Public Opinion Research. He is author of Free Expression and the American Public (ASNE, 1991) and co-author of Free Expression in Five Democratic Publics (Hampton, 2004).
He also served as a trustee and as adjunct professor of church history at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary. He is currently a trustee of Episcopal Charities and Community Services and St. Augustine College, Chicago.
Wyatt holds a bachelor's degree from the University of the South, Sewanee, master's degrees from Northwestern University, the University of Tennessee, and Vanderbilt University Divinity School, and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University.
His wife, Terri Lackey, is managing editor of Lutheran Woman Today.
Hal Stewart
Hal Stewart has his bachelor's and master's degrees from Northwestern University and is a lifelong Episcopalian.
Stewart's professional background includes advertising and marketing; 28 years in professional fund development including serving as Director of Alumni Giving and Director of Medical School Development for Northwestern University; senior development positions with WTTW / Chicago Public Television, the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management; a Senior Management Director with the consulting firm of Grenzeback & Associates working with Lake Forest Academy, Michigan State University and the University of Wisconsin system, and as Director of Marketing for the Terra Museum of American Art.
He has consulted with arts organizations, hospitals, and medical centers across the country and was the president of a human services organization in Chicago. In addition to running his consulting firm, working with corporations to reduce their operating expenses and improve cash flow, Stewart currently sits on four boards.
Baptized at Christ Church, Winnetka, Stewart has been a member of the Church of the Holy Comforter since he was two. In more recent years, he has served as a Sunday School teacher, was Clerk of the Vestry for 23 years. and currently serves as a Lay Eucharistic Minister and member of the altar guild.
Hal Stewart has his bachelor's and master's degrees from Northwestern University and is a lifelong Episcopalian.
Stewart's professional background includes advertising and marketing; 28 years in professional fund development including serving as Director of Alumni Giving and Director of Medical School Development for Northwestern University; senior development positions with WTTW / Chicago Public Television, the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management; a Senior Management Director with the consulting firm of Grenzeback & Associates working with Lake Forest Academy, Michigan State University and the University of Wisconsin system, and as Director of Marketing for the Terra Museum of American Art.
He has consulted with arts organizations, hospitals, and medical centers across the country and was the president of a human services organization in Chicago. In addition to running his consulting firm, working with corporations to reduce their operating expenses and improve cash flow, Stewart currently sits on four boards.
Baptized at Christ Church, Winnetka, Stewart has been a member of the Church of the Holy Comforter since he was two. In more recent years, he has served as a Sunday School teacher, was Clerk of the Vestry for 23 years. and currently serves as a Lay Eucharistic Minister and member of the altar guild.
Richard Kieckhefer
Richard has taught at Northwestern University since 1975, offering courses mainly on medieval Christianity, but also the introduction to the New Testament and other classes.
His research focuses on the religious culture of the late Middle Ages, including the history of church-building and the history of witchcraft and magic. One of his recent research projects was a history of theology in limericks.
Richard also finds time to travel, having flown over Cappadocia in a hot-air balloon.
Richard has taught at Northwestern University since 1975, offering courses mainly on medieval Christianity, but also the introduction to the New Testament and other classes.
His research focuses on the religious culture of the late Middle Ages, including the history of church-building and the history of witchcraft and magic. One of his recent research projects was a history of theology in limericks.
Richard also finds time to travel, having flown over Cappadocia in a hot-air balloon.
Caroline Perry
Caroline is a Weinberg junior from Phoenix, AZ and is triple-majoring in Religion, Philosophy, and Gender Studies. She has been involved in Canterbury Northwestern since the first Sunday of her freshman year.
Her interests include activism, musical theatre, opera, art, creative nonfiction, fine food (and junk food), theology, liturgy, LGBT studies, travel, and big cities. She is also a diehard Indigo Girls fan.
Caroline has a strong interest in all things academic, and her main research interests lie in the field of Christian personal ethics. She spent this past summer at Harvard Divinity School taking Elementary Biblical Hebrew and plans to pursue a PhD in theology/ethics.
Canterbury has had a strong impact on her college experience and life discernment, and it has been a great joy for her to take part in such a vibrant, spiritually enriching community.
Caroline is a Weinberg junior from Phoenix, AZ and is triple-majoring in Religion, Philosophy, and Gender Studies. She has been involved in Canterbury Northwestern since the first Sunday of her freshman year.
Her interests include activism, musical theatre, opera, art, creative nonfiction, fine food (and junk food), theology, liturgy, LGBT studies, travel, and big cities. She is also a diehard Indigo Girls fan.
Caroline has a strong interest in all things academic, and her main research interests lie in the field of Christian personal ethics. She spent this past summer at Harvard Divinity School taking Elementary Biblical Hebrew and plans to pursue a PhD in theology/ethics.
Canterbury has had a strong impact on her college experience and life discernment, and it has been a great joy for her to take part in such a vibrant, spiritually enriching community.