Rev. Hope Luckie, the dean of Boston University’s Marsh Chapel since Feb. 2001, announced earlier this month that she would resign from her position, saying it is time for her to “take a Sabbath.” Luckie said her last day will be May 18.
Luckie worked at BU for more than nine years, and was the assistant dean for three and a half years. She currently presides over the weekly university chapel service, which is also broadcast on the radio. She also leads four weekly worship services and teaches classes in Bible studies, baptism, confirmation and interfaith dialogue.
While Luckie said she loves her colleagues, she said long days and nights working as the dean have been very time consuming.
“The last few years have been very intense and very draining,” Luckie said. “I work seven days a week and 100 hours a week, and it has become pretty rough lately.”
Luckie, whose husband lives in Montreal, has chosen to move away from the Boston area to live with him. However, she said she is resigning more for herself and the greater good of the BU community than for her husband.
Luckie said she has not heard of anyone that may fill her position but has met a few candidates.
“I have met a few candidates but am not part of the process,” she said. “It would be a conflict of interest.”
Rabbi Joseph Polak, director of Hillel House, said he has also not heard any information regarding the new dean. Polak said he would “certainly not” apply for the position and said he had not heard of any of the candidates being a current employee at the chapel.
Regardless of whom the upper administration decides to hire to become the next dean, Polak said he believes the candidate will have a tough act to follow.
“[Luckie] was wonderful, thoughtful, smart and always had the student interest in mind,” Polak said. “She will be missed.”
Provost Dennis Berkey, who will be involved with selecting a new dean of Marsh Chapel, was not available for comment last night.
Luckie was ordained as a minister with the United Methodist Church and has received a Master of Divinity degree from the School of Theology, specializing in spiritual formation and guidance with an emphasis on pastoral care and counseling. During her study at BU, she received the Howard Donniwell Warren Scholarship.
She has preached at Brown University and Eastern Nazarene College and led various retreats. Certified as a Critical Incident Stress Management team member, she is qualified to serve during mass disasters and tragedy.