ORL Personnel
Varun Soni, Dean of Religious Life
Varun Soni is new to the position of Dean of Religious Life at USC, effective July 1, 2008. He comes however, with outstanding academic credentials and experience. He holds a bachelor's degree in religion from Tufts University, a master's degree in theological studies from Harvard University, a master's degree in comparative religion from UC Santa Barbara and a juris doctor degree from UCLA. He is currently completing a Ph.D. in religious studies from the University of Cape Town and is a member of the State Bar of California.
His interest in world religion is long-standing: As an undergraduate, he spent a semester living as a Buddhist monk in a Burmese monastery in Bodh Gaya, India, through the Buddhist Studies Program at Antioch University. As a graduate student he spent months doing field research in South Asia through UC Santa Barbara's Center for Sikh and Punjab Studies. a native of India, he was raised in Southern California.
Soni said, "I feel deeply honored and humbled to be the next dean of religious life at USC. The Office of Religious Life has the extraordinary opportunity to facilitate interfaith dialogue and sponsor events that support religious and spiritual life on campus while also utilizing the many resources in Los Angeles, the world's most religiously diverse city.
At USC, the Dean's tasks are closely linked with the university's declared mission: "the development of human beings and society as a whole, through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit." Although USC was founded by Methodists in the nineteenth century, the nonsectarian institution now counts some seventy-two student religious groups on a campus of 28,000 graduates and undergraduates, many of whom have no formal religious affiliation. New on the horizon and in the very beginning stages of planning is a new "Multi-Faith Center for research, reflection and practice." The new center will provide much needed physical space where conversation across religious traditions can occur and where the academic and the practical expression of religion can intersect.
Dean Soni and his wife, Dr. Shakti Soni, a physician from South Africa, reside in Venice.
Associate Dean of Religious Life
Sherry Caudle, Program Specialist
Sherry Caudle has worked in the Office of Religious Life since September 1997. She has enjoyed being part of a dynamic environment that offers opportunities in the important areas of religious and ethical programming for USC students. She began in a small, two person office with past Dean, Rabbi Susan Laemmle and now in expanded facilities looks forward to working with USC's new Dean of Religious Life, Varun Soni
As the office administrator, Sherry has a broad scope of responsibilities, including budget, office organization and support for Religious Directors and student groups. She prepares and maintains office documents and websites as well as coordinates participation of students from the religious groups in the Baccalaureate Ceremony at the end of the year. She was delighted in 2007 to have some very welcome assistance with the addition of new permanent staff member, Timothy Conley, as Religious Life's Front Desk Coordinator.
Tim Conley, Front Desk Coordinator
Tim Conley is the latest member to join our team in the Office of Religious Life. Tim began in July of 2007 and serves as the Front Desk Coordinator. Previously Tim worked at McKinley Elementary School in Santa Monica as a Physical Activities Specialist. A former college student athlete, Tim holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications and Public Relations from Sacramento State University.
Tim’s main roles include assisting Dean Soni and Program Specialist, Sherry Caudle in facilitating and creating a warm & comforting environment for the Religious Directors/Advisors and the 70 or so different student religious organizations on the USC campus. He also coordinates room reservations for the religious center and aids student groups in the annual recognition process.