Xavier University’s Office of Interfaith Engagement will become
the Center for Interfaith Engagement and its founding director,
Rabbi Abie Ingber, will be the Center’s executive director.
The Center’s mission is to promote
sensitivity towards diverse faiths and backgrounds and engage
the communities on a local, national and international scale, according to Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School Steven Herbert.
President, Fr. Michael J. Graham, S.J., articulated his delight
at the prospect of Rabbi Ingber’s continued influence with Interfaith Engagement.
“The perspective Abie has brought to the Office for Interfaith Community Engagement over the past four years has enriched Xavier as a university as well our students, faculty, staff and the larger community,” Father PhotoGraham said. “We look forward to Rabbi Ingber building upon his past work at Xavier to expand its reach and depth in the future.”
Rabbi Ingber, whose relationship
with Xavier began in 2005, believes that community engagement
is a key part of the identity of a Jesuit university like Xavier and is overjoyed that the university
has recognized this.
“The change from an office to a center comes with an affirmation
that our work is mission critical
to the success of this university,”
Rabbi Ingber said. “There could not be a more critical message
for this university as a Jesuit institution. This university lives not in its buildings, its stationary or its centers; it lives through the meaningful lives that its students create while they are here.”
The elevation of the program from office to center technically moves it under Academic Affairs, which means that it will be able to have a more academic focus and better fulfill Xavier’s academic mission.
“Moving into the realm of Academic Affairs allows us to deepen relationships with faculty and different departments within the university and collaborate with other centers around the university,
as we are not a stand-alone center,” Rabbi Ingber said.
After several weeks of discussion
with Provost Scott Chadwick and other key board members of the university Rabbi Ingber expressed his elation on a personal
note with the University’s decision.
“The fact that this university has said ‘Rabbi Abie, we want you to partner with us,’ is singularly
one of the most wonderful compliments that I have ever received,”
Rabbi Ingber said.
Tuesday, June 24, 2025