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David Kauffman named interim CM, YAM director

By Jean Denton
Special to The Catholic Virginian

David Kauffman, former campus minister for Virginia Military Institute and Washington and Lee University, has agreed to come out of retirement to serve as interim Director of Campus and Young Adult Ministry for the Richmond Diocese beginning August 4.

He will serve full-time in that position for up to a year while a permanent director is sought, according to Dorothy Mahanes, diocesan director of human resources.

A veteran professional lay minister and retired military officer, Col. Kauffman served for five years as campus minister for VMI and W&L. He retired from that position in June, 2007.

Prior to that he was Associate Director of the Lay Ministry Development Office of the Diocese of Orlando. During 14 years in Orlando he headed lay ministry formation including certification programs for professional ministers and diaconate formation.

Before moving into ministry, Col. Kauffman had a 26-year career in the U.S. Air Force. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s degrees in public administration and pastoral ministry.

The vacancy in the Office of Campus and Young Adult Ministry came with the death in April of Sister Diane Guy, who had been director.

Col. Kauffman explained that through his ministry at VMI and W&L he had a close relationship with Sister Diane and was “honored to be asked by the bishop” to take over temporarily.

“I am very aware of all her work and what she put into it, and I wanted to see it continue,” he said.

“I know how difficult it can be to try to get a ministry going when no one has been in the leadership position for some time. It would be harmful for there to be a lengthy vacancy.”

He pointed out, “The campus ministry program that we have in the diocese is very solid and my first priority will be to continue the things that are ongoing to be as effective as possible.”

He added that he plans to continue providing the high level of support Sister Diane gave young adult ministers as well.

Noting that he will be working both from his home in Lexington and at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Richmond, Col. Kauffman emphasized that the position is fulltime and he will give it full attention.

“I expect to be as present to both campus ministers and young adult ministers as I can, through on-site visits and personal contact, keeping them connected to the diocese,” he said.

“I want people in the ministries to know I am always available and I will advocate for them with the diocesan staff and the bishop and also communicate necessary information to them from the diocese.”

Col. Kauffman serves on a diocesan Youth, Campus and Young Adult Advisory Panel, headed by Virginia Tech campus minister Father John Grace.

The panel, which has been conducting a search for a permanent director, recognized the need for interim leadership as the search continues, Ms. Mahanes said.

Col. Kauffman said he looks forward to helping promote the position in a nationwide search for outstanding candidates.

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