Multi-faith and Spirituality Centre chaplain and coordinator Ellie Hummel is leaving Concordia

After 22 years of service as chaplain and coordinator of the Multi-faith and Spirituality Centre, Reverend Ellie Hummel is leaving Concordia to pursue a new position at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick.

Concordia President Graham Carr says Hummel embodies the spirit of Concordia. “Ellie has always been compassionate, forward-thinking and dedicated to bringing together our diverse community. On behalf of all Concordians, I thank Ellie for her over two decades of service.

He adds, “On a personal note, I’ll miss her very much, and I know I’m not alone.”

Hummel has been a champion of spiritual life on campus and an unrelenting force in bringing the wider Concordia community together. An ordained minister with the United Church of Canada, she came to the university in 2000 after working in congregations in rural Saskatchewan.

“Ellie was responsible for forging important links between Concordia and various religious and spiritual communities across Montreal,” says Andrew Woodall, dean of students. “These ties have proven to be invaluable to our collective understanding of spirituality on campus.”

From the Multi-faith and Spirituality Centre and beyond

Over the years at the Multi-faith and Spirituality Centre, Hummel and her team created a welcoming and energizing environment for students to explore their spiritual lives, beliefs and values. Together they created an important hub for discussion, connection and relaxation as well as numerous community-based activities, open to all.

Beyond the doors of MSFC, Hummel could be seen on campus inviting students to ponder life’s bigger questions on the pop-up orange “conversation couch.” She also spearheaded the yearly Multi-faith and Spirituality Fair that took place in the atrium of the Engineering, Computer Science and Visual Arts Integrated Complex.

Larger campus initiatives surrounding food security were also at the heart of her work. Hummel was responsible for coordinating the Student Emergency and Food Fund, which distributed grocery vouchers to thousands of students over the years. The centre also ran the popular Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, in conjunction with the Concordia Food Coalition, which served low-priced vegan meals on campus.

Hummel was called upon in times of great joy and sorrow. As a minister, she married dozens of couples at the Loyola Chapel. She was also responsible for helping friends, family and colleagues navigate death when a Concordian passed away.

Not to be forgotten was her insight and involvement in supporting large-scale initiatives to combat hate-speech and racism on a community level.

A profound impact on students

Hummel’s biggest impact will be the mark she left on the thousands of students she met over the years.

“From having chill conversations on a nice Wednesday afternoon to converting those conversations into finding answers to life’s biggest questions, Ellie is always a role model,” says current student Meghaksh Brahmbhatt.

Paras Grover, a former student, was deeply involved with the centre while at Concordia. He says Hummel’s legacy includes the many lives she touched.

“Ellie created an ecosystem where everyone was welcome, could share their views, celebrate festivals and grow and learn from others’ belief systems.”

Find out more about Concordia’s Multi-faith and Spirituality Centre.