The Protestant Campus Ministry Board
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 Delmar, NY. She has experience in contemporary worship,
outreach/evangelism, small group ministry and spiritual formation.
She loves golf, Wii 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 enjoys
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. M.J. Pattison works for the Department of
Health in Chronic disease prevention. She is also a member at Large
of the Presbytery of Albany and parish associate at Hamilton Union
Presbyterian Church in Guilderland.
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.
Christine Smith is a Certified Lay Speaker with
the United Methodist Church and an active member of McKownville
United Methodist Church located in Albany NY. Christine is a
graduate of the University at Albany with a major in Religious
Studies. She is a native of the Capital Region and is the Mom of two
sons. She lives in Colonie with her Mother and her youngest son.
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.