In addition to studying for your major and navigating your career trajectory, self-definition as part of your personal development plays a crucial role in determining your life success. Susquehanna offers you the opportunity to ponder essential questions, providing both the time and space for exploration:
“What defines me?” “What do I stand for?” “What is my role or purpose in life?”
The Center for Spirituality & Meaning is here to help you engage with life’s profound questions, as you craft yourself into a conscientious global citizen.
Whether you engage life’s biggest questions from a secular, religious, or spiritual perspective — or find yourself on a journey where labels don’t easily fit — we welcome you to explore what matters most.
You’re invited to learn more
For future students to learn about opportunities and for current students to connect with the Center for Spirituality & Meaning, share your interest:
At Susquehanna, religious and spiritual life is as diverse as the university’s vibrant student body. Here, you will find a welcoming community that encompasses individuals from various traditions, and even those who may not have any specific affiliation. As an expression of our historical affiliation with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, we embrace, support and celebrate diversity in its countless forms.
Susquehanna remains dedicated to championing diversity across worldview identities, ensuring a sense of belonging for everyone. Our ongoing conversations and efforts reflect this commitment. To measure our progress, we self-report our progress among seven domains — religious accommodations, institutional behaviors, efforts to reduce negative engagement, extracurricular engagement, space for support and expression, structural diversity and academic engagement. Follow our success through our INSPIRES Campus Climate Index Scorecard.
Student resources
Learn
Courses, events and learning opportunities are offered around interfaith, religion, philosophy and spirituality.
Faculty are encouraged to accommodate students’ needs regarding religious holiday observances, such as to return home for holidays or to miss class for worship.
Some dining venues include options for religious dietary restrictions such as vegetarian. Limited kosher food is available during Passover in the university dining room. Arrangements can be made to use the kosher kitchen in the Hillel House as well.
Some dining venues’ hours of service accommodate religious students’ access to food around fasting times.
Susquehanna has a dedicated bias response team, tracks bias incidents and notifies the university community.
Student opportunities
An organization devoted to helping students learn about and grow in their Catholic faith.
A Christian ministry engaging students through Bible study, gospel-driven discipleship and evangelism.
A Christian ministry engaging students through studying God’s word, aiming to build their relationship with the Lord while applying their faith to their lives as athletes.
The handbell choir performs during select Sunday worship services as well as during some of the larger events on campus, such as the Annual Christmas Candlelight Service.
In addition to providing educational, cultural and social involvement opportunities for Jewish students to explore and celebrate their Jewish identity, the Hillel House offers a welcoming atmosphere of belonging, whether you’re a member of the Jewish community or not.
Explore Susquehanna University as your welcoming place for Jewish students of all backgrounds and family histories. Here, you’ll discover that Jewish identity goes beyond religious practice. It’s a journey to explore Jewish values, traditions and culture.
Susquehanna’s Jewish Life — centered in the campus’s Hillel House — offers you engagement in conversations about what it means to be Jewish, deepen your knowledge of Jewish religion and join activities and leadership opportunities. You’ll find safe and productive discussions about antisemitism, bias and injustice — whether on campus or in the broader community.
Encourages Christians on campus through weekly on-campus worship services, Bible studies and other fellowship activities.
A community exploring and supporting Pagan and Wiccan identity and practice.
Students explore their evolving worldview and belief systems within a pluralistic context.
A non-denominational Christian ministry that reaches out to local high school students by building relationships through meetings and events.
Our gathering spaces
Arthur Plaza
Located in the heart of campus, theDouglas E.Arthur Plazaisa site for campus vigils and other gatherings around social concerns.
Hillel House
The Hillel House is a gathering place for the Jewish community at Susquehanna. Locatedon the “triangle” where University Avenue meets Pine Street, it features a kosher kitchen, meditation room and library.
Susquehannock Tribute Circle
Located near the Charles B. Degenstein Campus Center, the land acknowledgment siteincludes an outdoor firepit and seating surrounded by native trees.
Weber Chapel and Horn Meditation Chapel
Weber seats 1,500 and plays host toguest lecturers, visiting artist performances and weekly Christian worship services. There is also a meditation chapel.
Muslim Prayer Room
TheMuslim Prayer Roominside ofthe GO House is set aside for Muslim prayer practice.
Multifaith and Mindfulness Spaces
Located in several residence halls, these rooms are set aside to support emotional and spiritual well-being. They can be used for quiet reflection, reading, meditation, prayer or other contemplative and mindfulness practices.
Annual gatherings
Christmas Candlelight Service Over 1,600 attendees gather in Weber Chapel each December for a service that includes candle lighting and carols, traditional readings, songs and prayers.
Diwali In conjunction with the Asian Cultural Association, a festive gathering celebrating the Hindu festival of lights is held each October or November.
Eid al-Fitr A festive meal marking the completion of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
Seder Hillel hosts an annual 150-person Passover Seder in March or April, one of its largest events.
Sukkot The Jewish holiday of Sukkot is celebrated each September or October and includes building a sukkah on campus.
Weekly gatherings
Shabbat Hillel hosts a weekly Friday night Shabbat meal that is open to everyone.
Shuttle to St. Pius X Students can take a free shuttle to the St. Pius X Catholic student mass.
Sunday Chapel Service Everyone is welcome to weekly Christian worship service Sundays at 11 a.m. in Weber Chapel, also available for listening via Susquehanna’s radio station 88.9 FM, WQSU The Pulse.
Multifaith & cultural heritage holidays
Susquehanna University provides a list of holidays for understanding diverse observances. Use it for planning activities, respecting observances, and learning about our cultural diversity. If a student anticipates a religious/spiritual observance may conflict with academic obligations such as attending class, taking examinations or submitting assignments, work directly with your professor to make reasonable arrangements. Should you require additional support or guidance, or you would like to recommend additions or corrections to the calendar, reach out to the Center for Spirituality & Meaning.
The list below displays upcoming holidays through the end of the academic year. It is refreshed at the start of each fall semester.
Period of four weeks in which Christians prepare for Christmas and meditate on the end of all time. In Western churches, the first Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of the Christian liturgical year.
In Wicca/Paganism, Yule or Winter Solstice, celebrating the longest night and the blessings of darkness as well as the rebirth of the sun god. Begins at sundown.
The Feast of Lights (Feast of Dedication) is celebrated for eight days to commemorate the rededication of the Temple following the Jews’ victory over occupying forces in 165 BCE, which re-established for a time their religious and political freedom. Begins at sundown on December 25 and ends at sundown on January 2.
An annual celebration of African American culture and based on the Seven Principles of Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work and responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith).
Celebrates the anniversary of the birth of Jesus. Orthodox Christian holidays are celebrated about two weeks later than Roman Catholic and Protestant holidays because of their use of the Julian calendar as opposed to the Gregorian calendar in the West.
Accommodation:
Students may have to travel home to celebrate with family.
The Holy Month of Ramadan is the month of fasting during which Muslims who are physically able do not eat or drink from the first sign of dawn until sunset in honor of the first revelations to the Prophet Muhammad. The evening meal is celebrated with family. Begins at sundown on February 28 and ends at sundown on March 30.
Note: date changes every year
Accommodation:
It is traditional to fast from sunrise to sunset. Sensitivity to the needs of fasting students is appropriate.
A special day of repentance observed by Protestant and Roman Catholic Christians to mark the beginning of Lent, the 40-day period (excluding Sundays) of prayer, repentance, and self-denial preceding Easter. The name derives from the practice of marking of the faithful with ashes to signify penitence.
Celebrates Jewish tenacity and survival through the reading of the Book of Esther. This political farce uses a story about Jews in ancient Persia using subterfuge and faith to overturn a plot to destroy them. Purim is a joyous holiday, celebrated by wearing of costumes, giving gifts to friends, giving to the poor, and socializing. Begins at sundown on March 13 and ends at sundown on March 14.
Note: date changes every year
Accommodation:
Students may have religious obligations the first evening and morning.
A joyous spring Hindu festival that is dedicated to Krishna in some parts of India; in other parts of India, it is dedicated to Kama, the God of Pleasure. People throw colored water or colored powder in celebration.
Note: date changes every year
Accommodation:
Students may have to travel home to celebrate with family.
Also known as the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast. One of the two main Islamic festivals (the other is Eid al-Adha), this day celebrates the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. It comes on the first day of the next lunar month, Shawal. Begins at sundown on March 30 and ends at sundown on March 31.
Note: date changes every year
Accommodation:
Some students travel home to celebrate with family.
Passover commemorates the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It is celebrated for eight days with special prayers and symbolic foods at home, starting with the Seder, a ritual meal that re-enacts that ancient deliverance and emphasizes the freedom of the Jews under the guidance of God. Begins at sundown on April 12 and ends at sundown on April 20.
Note: date changes every year
Accommodation:
Students may have religious obligations the first evening and the first two days and the last two days.
Baisakhi, also spelled Vaisakhi, one of the most important festivals for the Sikh religion, is an ancient spring harvest festival. Sikhs mark the occasion by going to Gurdwara, a Sikh place of worship, for a service, involving singing, bhangra dancing and Sikh martial arts called gatka.
Accommodation:
Some students travel home to celebrate with family.
Christian commemoration of the institution of the Lord’s Supper/the Eucharist by Jesus prior to his arrest and execution. “Maundy” is derived from the Latin text of John 13:34, in which Jesus gives a mandatum novum (“new commandment.”)
Celebrates the resurrection from death of Jesus Christ. It is the oldest and most important festival in the Christian year and initiates the 50-day period culminating in Pentecost.
Celebrates the resurrection from death of Jesus Christ. It is the oldest and most important festival in the Christian year and initiates the 50-day period culminating in Pentecost. Orthodox Christian holidays are celebrated about two weeks later than Roman Catholic and Protestant holidays because of their use of the Julian calendar as opposed to the Gregorian calendar in the West.
Memorializes the six million Jews who died as victims of the Nazis during World War II and emphasizes respect for human dignity. Its observance is not limited to Jews. Begins at sundown on April 24 and ends at sundown on April 25.
Note: date changes every year
Accommodation:
Meet our campus spiritual leaders
As spiritual leaders, Chaplain Scott Kershner and Rabbi Nina Mandel contribute to fostering an environment of trust, honor and achievement for all. They serve as pastoral counselors offering confidential counseling, therapeutic support and spiritual guidance to students.
