For Immediate Release
Contact: Kate Uesugi, kuesugi@americanhumanist.org, 202-238-9088 (ext. 1050)
(Washington, DC, November 1, 2022) – On November 2, 2022, the American Humanist Association (AHA) will present its 2022 University Award for Philosophical Diversity to Tufts University. The award–which celebrates the expression of humanism in higher education–will be accepted by Anthony Monaco, President of Tufts University.
Interreligious work is one of the most important bridges we can build during this difficult time in our socio-political landscape. The Humanist Chaplaincy at Tufts has done an exemplary job of serving not only secular students but bringing together students from other religious minorities to reimagine a future where all people belong. From hosting an “Unlearning Retreat” that explored the decolonization of our thoughts and social norms and more, the AHA is proud to recognize Tufts University for fostering an environment where collaborations are encouraged to better support their student body.
“The Humanist Chaplaincy at Tufts has been a thriving hub for the rigorous and creative exploration of religious and philosophical differences. As a higher education chaplaincy, we are strategically positioned to realize a more just and interdependent world by supporting students in a critical time of exploration and identity formation,” says Anthony Cruz Pantojas, Humanist Chaplain at Tufts University. “As the first Afro-Boricua Humanist Chaplain, I aim to embrace the complexities of the human condition through narratives and experiences with students and create anew what has been historically erased or obscured.”
The AHA created the award to recognize colleges and universities that foster a culture of openness and academic inquiry that allows humanism and a diverse array of other philosophical perspectives to flourish. Previous universities recognized with this award include Pitzer College, Carnegie Mellon University, Stanford University, and the University of Miami. By offering the award, the AHA aspires to counter the prejudice faced by humanists and other nontheists who are good without a god as well as encourage schools to include humanist chaplaincies on campus.
Established in 2014, the Tufts Humanist Chaplaincy was formed to foster more institutional support for this community and to attend to the many changing needs of students across the nonreligious spectrum. Students from all walks of life seek out the Humanist Chaplaincy for individual support, to gather as small groups, and to host larger programs engaging with contemporary questions around Humanism and modern spirituality.
“We are delighted to recognize Tufts University and their ongoing commitment to the representation of secularism and humanism on campus,” comments AHA Executive Director, Nadya Dutchin. “It is vital that higher educational institutions encourage an open dialogue between different worldviews and philosophies, both religious and nonreligious.”
The awards ceremony will be held on the Tufts University campus at Breed Memorial Hall on November 2nd at 11:00 AM. To attend in person, please RSVP by Monday, October 31 here: https://tufts.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bkgg9gs3Mj3B1Fs
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The American Humanist Association (AHA) works to protect the rights of humanists, atheists, and other nontheistic Americans. The AHA advances the ethical and life-affirming worldview of humanism, which—without beliefs in gods or other supernatural forces—encourages individuals to live informed and meaningful lives that aspire to the greater good of humanity.