"Evolution, like birth can at times be a messy proposition.  I have had the good fortune to be involved as a board member with the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Iowa for the past 4 years and have seen the leadership question coax and compel thoughtful response to growth and relevance.  While there is no absolute model of leadership that is without flaws I'm encouraged and excited by the intersection of disparate disciplines that religious studies straddles; from the Old Testament to the interpretation of body image.  This is an exciting time to be involved in religious studies at the University of Iowa. The opportunities available for any individual to study how religion interacts with and influences all our lives, from physics to art and beyond, is an invaluable part of your undergraduate or graduate education. The course curriculum offered not only continues to search out difficult topics, but also a degree that encompasses philosophy, ethics, morals and self-evaluation, and is integral to understanding ALL the degrees offered on this campus and an effective tool in learning how to think horizontally and not just vertically."