Kurt Nelson

Rev. Kurt Nelson is Bucknell’s Director of Religious & Spiritual Life and Chaplain for the Protestant Community. He advises Bucknell’s multi-faith and interfaith initiatives; supervises Bucknell’s stellar team of chaplains, coordinators, and liaisons; and leads and coordinates Ecumenical Christian worship in Rooke Chapel on Sunday mornings during the academic term. He is ordained in the United Church of Christ.

Kurt comes to Bucknell from Colby College (Waterville, ME) where he spent 6.5 years as Dean of Religious & Spiritual Life. Prior, he served as Assistant Chaplain at Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH). He is a graduate of Yale Divinity School – where he fell in love with Chaplaincy - and St. Olaf College – where he fell in love with Religious Studies. A convert from the Pre-med track at St. Olaf, Kurt will be of limited help in tutoring Organic Chemistry, but is brimming with empathy for all walks of academic life.

Kurt is the 5th-most-likable member of his family, following – in no particular order – his wife and partner, Joanna; their children, Lillian & Elliott; and their pandemic puppy, Charlie (RIP Grover Dog, who was always the clear #1 in likability.) You can meet all but Charlie in Rooke Chapel most Sunday mornings.

Bucknell’s Office of Religious & Spiritual Life seeks to provide for the religious and spiritual well-being of the entire Bucknell community through pastoral care, multi-faith partnership, creation of communities of sustained belonging, and exploration of meaning and purpose. If any of life’s big questions (or some of the small ones) interest you, we will find a place for you. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Kurt directly with questions, concerns, or interests – kurt.nelson@bucknell.edu, or call to set up an appointment – 570-577-1592.