Gail J. Stearns

The Irvin C. and Edy Chapman
Dean of the Wallace All Faiths Chapel,
and Associate Professor of Religious Studies Chapman University

Gail J. Stearns, Dean of the Chapel, is a writer, professional interfaith organizer, consultant, and university professor.  She is the author of Writing Pauline: Wisdom From a Long Life (Hamilton Books, 2005) and Open Your Eyes: Toward Living More Deeply in the Present (Wipf & Stock, 2011). An ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church (USA), Gail also holds an interdisciplinary Ph.D. from Washington State University, with emphasis in gender theory. She is an Associate Professor of Religious Studies, and has previously taught university courses on world religions, ethics, spirituality and gender.

 Dr. Stearns is dedicated to interfaith dialogue and cooperation as a method for seeking peace in today’s world. She seeks to foster interfaith coordination among the university and the surrounding communities toward deeper understanding and reconciliation.  Her work and expertise center around faith development in young adults, and how life’s challenges lead to questioning and eventually, to a deeper understanding of vocation and meaning in their lives. Her own practice, teaching, and research center on the spiritual practice of meditation as it is found in many religious traditions.  When Gail has free time, she enjoys movies, reading, writing, traveling, canoeing, and biking.