Adam Stock Spilker, B.A. 1991

Senior Rabbi, Mount Zion Temple – St. Paul, Minnesota

Major: Religious Studies; certificates in Women's Studies and Jewish Studies

How has being a Religion graduate from Duke helped shape you personally and/or professionally?

"Just yesterday, spontaneously, I quoted Stanley Hauerwas in a talk I was giving. My time at Duke is with me every day of my career. I was pre-Med for three of my four years at Duke while taking classes also in religion. It was the people and experiences with the Religion Department at Duke that helped me realize I wanted to serve people in a different way. Most specifically "Ethics in Twentieth Century America" my first year with Thomas McCollough and the summer Duke in Israel program with Carol and Eric Meyers (who became my advisor) and Kal Bland shaped the rest of my studies. I am forever grateful."

What advice would you give students in Duke's Religion programs? 

"Take advantage of any immersive experience with Duke professors and engage!"

Adam Stock Spilker