New Dean of Religious Life

Ian Rottenberg has been named the Dean of Religious Life and Director of The Earl Hall Center.

Ian joined the Columbia community in 2018 as the Associate University Chaplain and quickly distinguished himself through his exemplary commitment, skill, scholarship and leadership. He has ably served as Earl Hall’s Interim Director since January 2019.

During his tenure here, he has overseen aspects of religious engagement on campus — including the creation of the new program Common Ground, which brings faith leaders from different traditions into regular dialogue with audience members around important issues and ideas. Ian is deeply committed to increasing inter-faith dialogue, promoting mutual understanding and meeting Columbia’s diverse religious needs, and we know he will be a capable, compassionate steward of our diverse multi-faith community.

Religious Life will continue to work closely with the Office of the University Chaplain. We want to express gratitude for the continued tremendous work of University Chaplain and Associate Provost Jewelnel Davis for all she has done and continues to do at Columbia. Ian and Chaplain Davis will remain close partners in their shared mission of meeting the religious and spiritual needs of the Columbia community.

Ian is an ordained clergy member with degrees in philosophy and theology from Haverford College, Yale University and Fordham University. He has been an assistant professor of philosophy at Saint Leo University and an instructor at Fordham University. In addition, he has served as the director of the Saint Leo University Social Justice Across the Curriculum Initiative and as teaching pastor and director of the Center for Churches as Learning Communities at Garden City Community Church in Garden City, New York.