Our Staff

773.702.8282
mcharles@uchicago.edu

The Dean of Rockefeller Memorial Chapel supports religious and spiritual life in the University. An alumnus of the Divinity School (MDiv, PhD), Maurice returned to UChicago in 2019 to serve as the seventh dean.  He leads a team that offers an array of interfaith engagement activities through the Spiritual Life Office, and curates and produces musical performances in Rockefeller and Bond Chapels.  With over 25 years of experience as an Episcopal priest and a BA cum laude in Psychology from Case Western Reserve University, Maurice is available to persons of all religions and philosophies of life who are wrestling with questions of vocation, meaning, and moving through life transitions. He works closely with his colleagues in Student Wellness and UChicago HELP. Maurice enjoys music, cycling, and wildlife photography.

773.795.1938
kuramitsu@uchicago.edu

As Associate Dean for Community Life, Kenji supports the work of the dean, tending to gatherings that meet in Rockefeller and Bond Chapels and developing student lay leadership for the Sunday service. He collaboratively fosters spiritual life on campus, partnering with neighborhood and interfaith groups, students, staff, and faculty.  He works closely with the dean to convene the community during public moments of concern and celebration. Kenji earned his MDiv from McCormick Theological Seminary and his MA here at the Crown Family School.  A licensed clinical social worker and Episcopal minister, he previously worked in LGBTQ+ healthcare.  Kenji enjoys reading, gardening, and leading walking tours in Hyde Park and Kenwood.

773.834.8538
iclaude@uchicago.edu

Irene Claude joined Rockefeller Memorial Chapel as Chapel Administrator in 2022. She provides administrative support to the Dean and coordinates the business and facilities affairs of the university chapels and Spiritual Life office. Irene is a flute teacher and freelance musician in the Chicagoland area. She has lived in Hyde Park since 1997 and enjoys reading, gardening, and seeing friends and former Music Together families on her daily walks in the neighborhood. Irene has a MM from DePaul University and a BMA from the University of Michigan. (Pronouns: she/her). 

773.702.8682
mboyman@uchicago.edu

Mike is the Events Manager for Rockefeller and Bond Chapels, and is responsible for curating, planning, and executing chapel events.  He is passionate about collaboration, both within and outside the University, and is always seeking to expand the range and reach of chapel programming.  Mike is from New York, where he worked at Carnegie Hall, and joined the Rockefeller Chapel staff in 2021.  Mike is an active composer and violist, and enjoys hiking, biking, and going on adventures with his son Teddy.

773.834.1885
jigna@uchicago.edu

As Senior Associate Dean and Director of Spiritual Life, I oversee and manage support for religious and spiritual life on campus, including addressing the needs of students of particular traditions, facilitating understanding of and across traditions among other things. A native New Yorker commuting from Plainfield, IL–I joined UChicago in 2005 and the Rockefeller & Spiritual Life team in 2011. I love UChicago’s Shake Day tradition, chai, chats, board games and Netflix binges! Come see me for any of the above or anything else (even coffee!) (Pronouns: she/her).

773.702.2484
takbar@uchicago.edu

As Coordinator of Muslim Life, I advise, facilitate, advocate for and support our vibrant Muslim community on campus. As chaplain I also offer spiritual care and counseling to the whole campus community. I joined Spiritual Life in the Fall of 2022, after serving as Chaplain of Muslim and Interfaith Life at Carleton and St. Olaf Colleges. If you have questions about Spiritual and Religious Life or regarding the Muslim community on campus don’t hesitate to reach out to me and/or set up an appointment. I also enjoy discussions around shared interests of religious studies, literature, history, creative writing, graffiti, travel and chess!

773.702.6063
kallemba@uchicago.edu

As Director of Music I direct the Rockefeller Chapel Choir, plan music for concerts and services, and help to curate and produce concerts in our spaces. I have been at the University of Chicago since 2005. Please reach out to me directly if you are interested in participating in our music programs. (Pronouns he/him)

University Organist

773.590.3549

weisflog@uchicago.edu

Appointed as University Organist at the University of Chicago in October 2000, Tom Weisflog directed the historic restoration of Rockefeller Chapel’s massive E. M. Skinner organ. He also served as organist and artist-in-residence with Chicago’s William Ferris Chorale and director of music for both the First Unitarian Church of Chicago and St. Thomas the Apostle Church. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, he has appeared with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and on recordings on the Meridian, New World, and Vox labels.