Director of Religious Life to transition out after 33 years

Photo courtesy of USI Communications

Christine Hoehn, director of Religious Life, will transition out of her position at the end of the spring semester. Hoehn has spent 33 years on campus as the director and leader of the Eagle Catholic Community.

Ian Young, Staff Writer
January 31, 2023

Christine Hoehn, director of Religious Life, will be transitioning out of her position after 33 years on campus.

Hoehn said a nationwide search for her replacement began in January and will conclude in May.

“There are two or three folks we are considering right now, and they are pretty good candidates,” Hoehn said. “We’re hoping the position will be filled by late May.”

Hoehn represents Eagle Catholic, formally known as Newman Catholic Community, an organization made up of campus students who hold Catholic masses on campus. 

Hoehn named the Religious Life organization on campus.

Ryan Hilderbrand leads Eagle Catholic Mass Sunday in Kleymeyer Hall. Hilderbrand is the priest of St. Matthew's in Mount Vernon, IN, and St. Phillip's in Posey County, IN. (Photo by Ian Young)
Ryan Hilderbrand leads Eagle Catholic Mass Sunday in Kleymeyer Hall. Hilderbrand is the priest of St. Matthew’s in Mount Vernon, IN, and St. Phillip’s in Posey County, IN. (Photo by Ian Young)

“When I first came to campus, it was called Campus Ministries,” Hoehn said. “It didn’t sound right to me, and I made the decision to change the name to the Office of Religious Life. It seemed to be the better choice because it is about students coming together and being part of a group.”

Students wait for Eagle Catholic Mass to begin in Kleymeyer Hall Sunday. The students are a part of Eagle Catholic Community, an organization consisting of students who preach Newman Catholic teachings. (Photo by Ian Young)
Students wait for Eagle Catholic Mass to begin in Kleymeyer Hall Sunday. The students are a part of Eagle Catholic Community, an organization consisting of students who preach Newman Catholic teachings. (Photo by Ian Young)

Other members of Eagle Catholic reflected on Hoehn’s time as the director of religious life. 

“She has been a wonderful leader,” said Parker Provost, pre-dental hygiene major. “She’s made everything very organized and flow together very well.”

Provost said she hopes Hoehn’s replacement will pick up where Hoehn left off by hosting mass to keep the organization going.

“It was a joy to work with her,” said Rachel Moore, Focus Capital missionary. “She knows the Lord and how to spread the word to other people. She’s awesome.”

Students preach during Eagle Catholic Mass Sunday in Kleymeyer Hall. Eagle Catholic Mass is held Sundays at 4 p.m. (Photo by Ian Young)
Students preach during Eagle Catholic Mass Sunday in Kleymeyer Hall. Eagle Catholic Mass is held Sundays at 4 p.m. (Photo by Ian Young)

Hoehn said she does not get paid by the university.

“My paycheck comes from the Catholic Diocese of Evansville, but my office represents the campus community,” Hoehn said. “The only time I got paid by the university was when I taught UNIV 101.”

Hoehn said Religious Life works to make sure every religious club and organization adheres to campus rules. 

“My office works really to get information out to the religious advisors and try to do it in a way where everyone has an even playing field,” Hoehn said. “I help make them aware of the rules and if there is something going on that they need to know, like knowing where the free speech zones are and what they can and cannot say when preaching.”

Hoehn said her hope for Religious Life is to build bridges of understanding.

“We live in a multicultural world,” Hoehn said. “One of the things I learned when I taught UNIV 101 was that students either thought USI was the most diverse place they have ever seen or one of the least diverse based on where they come from.”

Hoehn is also a part of the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Council. According to University Communications, the Diversity Committee was created in response to House Enrolled Act 1256. It requires that each public institution of higher education create a diversity committee to meet this legislative mandate.

The university’s existing Affirmative Action Committee was adapted to meet the requirements of IC 21-27-8-7.

Hoehn said she hopes the Office of Religious Life continues to evolve.

“My hope for the future of the Office of Religious Life is that it’s a way to learn about the religions of our community and especially have the opportunity to visit them,” said Hoehn. “It should be a place for different religions and discussing their viewpoints.”