MEET THE CHAPLAIN

    Kathleen's favorite color is purple.  She lives only one block from the campus (with Sophia Grace (Sophia Grace), gray cat extraordinaire, also known as "Thunder Melon" and Jack (Jack), black wild cat with a penchant for mischief).   Decorated to reflect her interest in Native American art, this home is a spiritual haven to which she retired after serving Monmouth College for 13 years.  

    Ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) on June 7, 1998, the Rev. Dr. B. Kathleen Fannin came to the College with many years of eclectic experience, from archaeology to economic development.  She joined Monmouth College as the Chaplain on August 1, 1998 after serving the College during the 1997-98 academic year as the Chaplain Intern.

     Kathleen holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC, a Master of Theological Studies degree from Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, and a BA from the University of Texas at Austin where she majored in sociology, anthropology, and psychology.  She is also a graduate of the University of Oklahoma's Economic Development Institute and has done post-graduate work in anthropology and elementary education.     

    In July 2004, the annual National Campus Ministry Association (NCMA) conference was held in conjunction with the International Campus Ministries Conference in Brisbane, Australia.  Kathleen was privileged to attend.  You can see pictures from that fantastic trip at DREAMING LANDSCAPES - GLOBAL CAMPUS MINISTRIES CONFERENCE IN BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 1-8, 2004

In July 2006, Kathleen had another marvelous adventure, visiting Alaska.  Click here to view photos!

In October 2006, she went to the 100th anniversary celebration for Mesa Verde National Park.  Link to photos.

In June & July, 2009 the adventure was in Nova Scotia!  Link to photos.

      Noted for her sense of humor and ready laugh, Kathleen enjoys creative writing, science fiction, board games (especially Scrabble), cards (especially Hearts and Bridge), chocolate, cats, music, laughter, nature, taking pictures, watching movies and reading books, some of which she shares with Sophia and Jack.  Her first book, In Search of the River: A Spiritual Journal in Scripture and Verse was published by Fairway Press in January, 1992.  Cows In Church, was released by C.S.S. Publishing in March, 1999.  She and her students also wrote God At The Center, a series of Lenten Meditations for College students published by the Higher Education Ministries Arena in 2002.  Wonder & Other Life Skills: Spiritual Retreats for College Students was released by Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group in August 2007.  In 2009 she published Reverence and Revelry: Remembering God at College.  It is available from the e-store at Reverence and Revelry.  In May, 2010, her second volume of poetry, Light Running, was released.  It is available from the e-store at Light Running.

One of the best pictures she ever took was of a tree at sunset:    

Other favorite pictures are on the covers of her most recent books.

Kathleen's favorite season of the year is Autumn.  Here are some views of campus & home in October 2003:

Spring has a special beauty, too, particularly in Kathleen's yard!  These photos were taken in late April 2005:

Summer brings the surprise of one of the ONLY mimosa trees in town (there are two, total)--blooming.  It lives in Kathleen's front yard, transplanted as a seedling from Missouri in June 1998.  The yuccas bloom too.  These photos are from June 2005:

Winter has a beauty all its own...

    When time allows, Kathleen enjoys writing poetry.  One of her favorites is "Chasing Dreams." 

One of the joys of being a college chaplain was the opportunity to officiate at the weddings of faculty and former students.  On September 20, 2003, Kathleen had the honor of marrying two former student chaplains, Jennifer Rund and Tom Scott.  

Other student chaplain weddings include:

September 16, 2006 - Kelly Winfrey and Eric Seaman

June 14, 2008 - James Andrew Thomas and Kelli Jo Wefenstette. 

    (They asked to be introduced at the end of the service as Jimmy and Kelli Wefenthomasstette!) 

September 12, 2010 - Annie Shortridge and Chris Walljasper 

            Wildlife visitors in Kathleen's backyard.      A crow in the snow in March 2005.    Indigo Buntings, a Rose-Breasted Grosbeak, & a Raccoon Spring, 2007.    In the Spring of 2008, along came a hawk.    There are lots of Cardinals, too:    and an Oriole!    In the Fall of 2008...  A Groundhog!    

Go back to RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL LIFE