Cornerstone Protestant Campus Ministry

 

The Protestant Campus Ministry Board

Board Bio’s

  • Rev. Sandy J. Damhof, Director:  Sandy is an ordained minister with the United Church of  Christ.  She has served churches in the Bronx, NY and Delmar, NY and now resides in Albany with her husband, Curt.  She serves as the Director of the Protestant Campus Ministry and is the founding pastor of Journey United Church of Christ, a new church start located in Slingerlands, NY and also works part-time Public Relations Coordinator for the Eastern New York CROP Walks.  She has experience in contemporary worship, outreach/evangelism, small group ministry and spiritual formation.  She loves golf, Wii Boxing and has never met a piece of chocolate she didn’t love.

  • Rev. Dr. William Hempel, President:  Rev. Hempel serves as the pastor of St. Paul's Evangelical Church in Albany.  A native of Long Island, he attended Concordia Prep in Bronxville, NY, received a B.A. in English Literature from Concordia College, Ft. Wayne, IN, earned his B.D. and M.Div. at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO in 1968 and was ordained the same year.  In 1995 Pastor Hempel was an organizer of Albany Maritime Ministry and continues to serve as Chaplain in the Port of Albany.  For the past 13 years he has produced the radio program "Chapel Time."  Pastor Hempel and his wife, Martha, live in Averill Park, NY.  They are parents of three sons and have six grandchildren.  Sailing, fishing and canoe camping are his favorite pursuits.

  • Wendy Samson, Vice-President:  Wendy is an active member of 1st Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Albany.  She graduated from the University at Albany with a major in English with a minor in Education and Political Science.  She is currently employed by the NYS Department of Education in the Office of School Improvement.  She lives in Delmar with her husband, Dan and her daughter, Nora.

 

  • Rev. John Knarvik, Treasurer: Rev. Knarvik grew up in the capital district and graduated from Shaker High School in Latham.  He completed his undergraduate degree at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh where he concentrated on social analysis and the sociology of religion.  Hew was active in the Reformed Church in America while here in Albany, but was drawn into the Lutheran Church while in college.  He completed his master of Divinity at Gettysburg Seminary and the Lutheran House of Studies in Washington, D.C.  In addition to his ministry with the people of good Shepherd, he serves on a variety of local and international ministry groups including The Capital Region Theological Center and The International Village of Hope

  • Josef Markowski, Secretary: Josef received both his undergrad and graduate degrees from the University at Albany with a BA in Social Studies and a Master's degree in Education.  He is a member of First Lutheran Church in Albany.  He is employed by New York State.

 

  • Dr. David F. Anderson is Professor of Public Administration, Public Policy, and Information Science at the University at Albany.  His work at the University centers on helping government and non-profit organizations build computer simulation models and information systems.  He lives in Delmar with his wife, Deborah, who is also on the faculty in Information Science.  He has three daughters, Katherine, Elizabeth, and Madeline who have all moved away to do more wonderful things with their lives.  He enjoy jogging, camping on the islands in Lake George, and mowing his lawn in the summer sunshine. 

  • Dorothy Carlson is an Associate in Ministry in the ELCA.  She has served congregations in Ithaca and Albany.  She is recently retired from The Community Hospice where she served as one of the chaplains for six years.  To celebrate her retirement she canoed the Yukon River from Whitehorse, Yukon, to Eagle, Alaska.  She likes to travel, reads a wide range of fiction, and enjoys the movies.  If she had a cat, her life would be perfect.   

  • Robert H. Gibson recently retired from his position as the Registrar at the UAlbany;  he has also served as Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and Director of the Advisement Services Center.  On campus he has been active in various committees, including the Educational Policies Council and University Senate.  He is a recipient of the  Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Administrative Services.  He received his Bachelor of Arts and master of Arts from UAlbany.

 

  • Rev. Robert C. Lamar is an ordained minister of Word and Sacrament with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and is Pastor Emeritus of the First Presbyterian Church of Albany, NY.  Following his retirement he served for nine years as the Executive Director of the Capital Area Council of Churches.  He is married to Marion and between them, they have 6 children and 9 grandchildren.  Bob enjoys music and golf. 

  • Nancy Landrigan is an active member of the Delmar Reformed Church where she serves as a elder.  She also serves as the Clerk for the Classis of Albany.  She works as a substitute teacher for the Bethlehem School District and also volunteers with many non-profit organizations in the area.  She lives in Delmar with her husband, Joe, and her children, Julie and Kyle.

  •  Kathleen E. Moore serves as the Moderator of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Albany where she also sings in the choir.  She received her Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science from the University at Albany and now serves as a consultant for Integrated Environmental Data, LLC.  She is also active with the Berne Conservation Board.

  • Shirley Readdean is a Certified Lay Speaker with the United Methodist Church and a member at First United Methodist in Schenectady.  She has served in a wide arrange of positions within the Conference includes Commission on Religion and Race the Task force for Developmental Disabilities. She is also involved in the YWCA and is a past President of the Schenectady City School Board.  She has received numerous awards and is a great asset to the wider community.

  •  Cathy Parker is an active member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Albany, NY.  She is a member of the vestry and the chair of the Adult faith formation committee.  She also represents St. Andrew's as part of the Advocates for Welcoming Congregations, an interfaith group that helps to promote the local churches and synagogues that welcome LGBT individuals.  She has a MS in Mental Health Counseling for SUNY New Paltz and BS in Computer Science from Worcester Polytechnic Inst.  She currently works in the University at Albany Career Services.