Here at Naz, there are so many faculty and staff members that help to shape the welcoming community found all throughout campus. I sat down with Jamie Fazio, Director of the Center for Spirituality, to learn more about his view of Nazareth as a long-time community member.
What is your role at Naz?
My primary role is the director of the Center for Spirituality, I also serve as the Catholic Chaplain, as an ACS (Academic and College Success) instructor, and the LAMBDA (Nazareth’s LGBTQ+ club) advisor.
As a Naz alumni, what is your advice for incoming freshmen?
I graduated in 1997, with a double major in philosophy and history. Some of the faculty here now were some of my professors and advisors! Two points of advice; first, amidst the busyness of the semester, set aside time for reflection to gain clarity into your “True Self”, or how your personal beliefs and views shape the person that you are. Secondly, use this opportunity to move past dualistic thinking. Our culture is addicted to the idea of something always being right or wrong, left or right. Nazareth is going to invite you to meet new people and provide many opportunities to hear new perspectives and experience diversity in many forms.
Best Naz traditions…
I would have to say the tradition of the numerous service retreats sponsored by our department, the Center for Spirituality. These social justice oriented retreats allow students to learn about themselves while also learning about important social needs facing our world today. Included in this are a trip to Philadelphia to learn about food and housing insecurity, a trip to El Paso, Texas, and Juarez, Mexico, to gain a greater understanding of the complexities of the immigration issue, a trip to Germany and Poland to study the Holocaust and reflect on issues of genocide and injustice today, and a trip to the Taize monastery in France, where one can discover how contemplative practice shapes one’s understanding of living genuinely in the world.
Favorite spots on campus?
Linehan Chapel, because of its connection to our founders. The five women who founded Nazareth in 1924 were amazing scholars who believed that a higher education empowered people to better themselves and the world around them. In fact they chose purple and gold as our college colors because they were the official colors of the women’s suffrage movement. These colors serve as a reminder of our responsibility to be aware of issues of injustice in our world today, and reflect on how we are each called to contribute to improving our society. Also, The Sulam Center, a joint muslim/jewish prayer space on campus located in George Hall. This space is used by our Muslim Student Association (MSA) and Nazareth Hillel (the Jewish community on campus).
(Want to learn more about the center, here’s a link to the CFS website! https://www2.naz.edu/spirituality/sulam-center/ )
An opportunity not to miss out on on campus…
Programs sponsored by the Center for Spirituality Interfaith Leadership Cohort. This group of undergraduate students meets regularly for dinner, interfaith dialogue, and interfaith leadership skills training. Its programs are open to the whole Nazareth community and include Interfaith Appreciation Week, Interfaith Cafe Nights for interfaith dialogue, Coming out Spiritually, and lunchtime guest speakers that connect spirituality with important current events and issues. The Center for Spirituality Interfaith Leadership Cohort is a recognized club of the Nazareth Undergraduate Association and offers different programs and communities for students from all faiths and perspectives.
Things every student on campus should have…
- An Enneagram book to better understand yourself! [Jamie loves the Enneagram, and if you’re lucky enough to be in his ACS class you’ll spend time studying it.]
- A desire to be open to the unknown and the unexpected. There’s going to be challenges and opportunities, remember there is something to learn about yourself in all of them. So take advantage of these unplanned occurrences and the insights they offer you.
What makes Nazareth unique?
It’s unique in the level of commitment from all the faculty and staff to create an environment of learning and experiences that speaks to the interests and needs of each of our students.
Something about the future of Naz that you hope to see or that you’re excited for…
In a world that often seems divided, I’m excited about the commitment and initiatives Nazareth continues to put forth to prepare students to live in a pluralistic world, with dialogue skills and lived experiences of encountering diversity.
Jamie Fazio is just one of the many staff members that sets Naz apart from the rest and epitomizes all that the college stands for. He’s someone who is always willing to sit down and talk life over, has chocolate in his office, and knows how to throw a killer annual Neil Diamond birthday party (ball pits and cupcakes included).