Hampton University News May 26, 2017 Hampton University's First Female Chaplain, Debra L. Haggins, Celebrates Another Milestone As Rev. Deborah Haggins blessed Hampton University's graduating class, as she had done so for years, there was something different about this years ceremony. Standing before the crowd, she wore an academic dress she had never worn before. Her new ensemble included an academic tam, a sheer indicator she had completed her Ph.D. giving her a new title as Rev. Dr. Debra L. Haggins. But despite the hard work, her new credentials weren't of utmost importance, she humbly said, "As much as I wanted my Ph.D., I never put it ahead of my responsibilities here at Hampton. It was a goal, never the priority. The priority was ensuring that my responsibilities at Hampton were taken care of and taken care of well." There is something remarkable to be said about a woman who has managed to complete her doctorates degree all while running a full-time on-campus ministry, serving as the head of Hampton's Religious Studies Department, as well as coordinating the university's annual minister's conference drawing thousands of ministers from around the world. "God allowed me to work at night, early mornings and during my lunch hour," said Rev. Dr. Haggins. "I hope that my work will inspire others who think they can't have it all. They can have it all." The daughter of teachers and graduates of historically black colleges, education flows deep in Rev. Dr. Haggins veins. Raised in a small town in Georgia, her mother and several family members taught in local schools. So, it came as no surprise when Rev. Dr. Haggins chose to follow suite. From public to private, she taught every grade from K to 12th with the exception of second grade, she jokingly said, "I don't know how that happened." Growing up, Rev. Dr. Haggins spent much of her time in church. Working in various capacities within the church, she began her career in official pastoral ministries in the early 2000's. That's when she landed at Hampton serving as an assistant to the former chaplain. She later went to teach for Virginia Beach Public Schools while doing interim pastoral work for a local church in Norfolk, VA. Rev. Dr. Haggin's affinity for HBCUs and pastoral work was apparent when she accepted an offer to return to her 'home by the sea' and serve as the first female chaplain at Hampton University, a role she doesn't take for granted. "As the first female and third African-American chaplain at Hampton University, I feel an incredible sense of responsibilty," said Rev. Dr. Haggins. "It is an honor and privilege to serve in this capacity." Since her return to Hampton in 2008, Rev. Dr. Haggins has paved the way for thousands of students, both men and women, to accomplish their dreams. She has helped the campus ministry grow in, she said, "spirit and numbers" transforming the traditional chapel model to a "semi-church" model that appeals to Hampton's diverse community of student believers. She laughed as she thought about the students, she said, "They will certainly stretch you. I'm not a 20 or 21-year-old." That willingness to be stretched, at all, is the true testament of her many titles as leader, pastor and, now, doctor. SANDRA M. PHOENIX HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta, GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org/ sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org%3cmailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org>> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/