Faith & Learning Profiles

The mission of Duke Chapel is "bridging faith and learning." See what that looks like in the lives of these students by watching brief video profiles of their faith-and-learing experiences at Duke and with the Chapel.

Liddy Grantland

Carefully Reading Texts and People

As a double-major in English and African American studies, Liddy Grantland, T ’20, spends a lot of time carefully reading books. A Chapel Scholar and National Advisory Board member, she also pays attention to the people in her faith communities. “I believe that paying attention is a practice of loving,” she says, and that when we pay attention to something, we are loving it.”

Usamah Chaudhary

Engaging Across Faiths

Coming to Duke, Usamah Chaudhary, T ’20, found a vibrant and diverse Muslim community on campus. In addition to becoming a leader in the Muslim Students Association, he also became president of Duke Voices for Interfaith Action, a student group advised by Duke Chapel that creates opportunities for dialogue and service among students of different faiths. As a biology and computer science major who plans to study medicine, Usamah says his classes are showing him how he can help people but his faith helps him understand why it is important to help others.

Jonathan Osei

Values in Public Policy

Jonathan Osei, T '18 , was first drawn to Duke Chapel because of its preaching. Through the Chapel Scholars program, Jonathan began to learn about, and serve in, the Durham community. In his Public Policy courses he made connections between community policies and his faith. Upon graduating, Jonathan will continue to serve in Durham and deepen his faith through the Duke’s PathWays Fellows program.

Elizabeth Barahona

Ethics and Activism

As a first-year student from Orlando, Florida, Elizabeth Barahona, T '18, found a supportive and faithful community at Duke Chapel. During her time at Duke, she has grown as a community organizer by teaching a student-led Chapel house course on the ethics of mission trips, and also taking a leadership role in the Duke's Latinx student association Mi Gente. Studying history, Latino studies, and human rights, Elizabeth aims to continue strengthening her communities after she graduates by advocating for immigrants.

Xiating “Ting” Chen

Music as a Gift

As a member of Duke Chapel’s Vespers Ensemble, Xiating “Ting” Chen, E '17, came to the Chapel twice a week to sing. Also a Chapel Scholar and a member of the Duke Presbyterian Campus Ministry, Ting said the Chapel's weekly Vespers worship services played an important part in her life of faith at Duke. She majored in music and environmental engineering and said that her experience with the Chapel helped her understand music not only as a subject to be studied but also a gift from God.

Zach Heater

Engaging Ancient Texts

As a classics major Zach Heater, T '17, critically studied biblical texts—and he also engaged those same texts as a Scripture reader in Duke Chapel worship services. A Chapel Scholar and Duke Wesley Fellowship member, Zach said that he was driven to keeping asking questions of the texts but also found that, “We belong to God whether we have answers to questions or not.”