(Hampton, VA) – Hampton University has named the Rev. Debra L. Haggins as the university’s first female chaplain in the institution’s 140-year history. As chaplain, Haggins will serve as pastor of the HU Memorial Church, director of the Religious Studies Program and handle all religious affairs for the university.
She will also serve as the first female executive secretary of the Annual HU Ministers’ Conference, the largest gathering of interdenominational African-American clergy in the world.
“This appointment makes a strong statement to the world that we are all called and can be chosen for any particular task, so we need to be prepared to be sent wherever we are needed,” said Haggins.
Haggins aims to boost interfaith ministry and student involvement on campus, provide pastoral care and counseling, and expand the Memorial Church into “a viable entity on campus.”
Haggins replaces Dr. Timothy T. Boddie, who now serves as the senior pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Atlanta, Ga. “I have only the highest confidence in Rev. Haggins to move the chaplaincy and all religious affairs of Hampton University to the next level,” stated Boddie.
Prior to her arrival at HU, Haggins served as the interim pastor of the historic Queen Street Baptist Church in Norfolk, Va. From 2002-2006, she served as associate minister and director of the women’s ministry at Mount Gilead Missionary Baptist Church in Norfolk. Prior to that, she served as assistant to the chaplain and faculty advisor to the Student Christian Association at HU. Haggins has also had a successful professional career with the Virginia Beach City Public School System and the Norfolk Public School System.
A native of Millen, Ga., Haggins earned a bachelor’s degree from Paine College in Augusta, Ga. She received a Master of Science in secondary school administration and the certificate of advanced graduate studies from Old Dominion University. She earned a Master of Divinity in theology degree from The Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University and is currently pursuing the Doctorate of Ministry degree from Norfolk Theological Seminary.