The Reverend Daniel Bell, Protestant Chaplain
Education:
M.Div. Yale Divinity School
M.A.R. Yale Divinity School
B.A. Gordon College
Biography:
The Reverend Daniel Bell was appointed Protestant Chaplain at Tufts in August of 2016. As a member of the University Chaplaincy team, Dan is dedicated to enriching the spiritual and ethical lives of all those affiliated with Tufts. He works closely with the Tufts Protestant Students Association to develop the ecumenical Protestant community on campus. Dan works with students to coordinate worship services, spiritual formation activities, service and social justice projects, and ecumenical and interfaith initiatives. He also provides spiritual care to students, faculty, and staff as needed, and offers a weekly Bible study and prayer group for faculty and staff. Dan serves as a University Chaplaincy liaison to Tufts’ Health Sciences campus and Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. He also leads the True Colors group at the LGBT Center and is a member of the Pride Caucus Steering Committee.
Dan earned a Master of Arts in Religion degree summa cum laude, with a concentration in the History of Christianity, from Yale Divinity School in 2010. He graduated from Yale again in 2013 with a Master of Divinity degree, and received a Diploma in Anglican Studies from Berkeley Divinity School, the Episcopal seminary at Yale.
He received his Bachelor of Arts degree summa cum laude from Gordon College in 2008, where he studied history, biblical studies, and theology. As an undergraduate, Dan was active in campus ministries and student government, and had opportunities to study in Italy, Greece, and England.
Dan moved to Boston after college to serve in Life Together, an Episcopal Service Corps program. He was ordained an Episcopal priest in February of 2018. In addition to serving at Tufts, he is the Affiliate Campus Minister for the Episcopal Community at Boston College. Dan has completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education and has several years of experience serving parishes in the Boston area.
Dan has family in New York, Florida, and Japan, where his brother, sister-in-law, and nephews live. A native of Long Island, New York, Dan and his partner currently live in Arlington, just a few minutes away from the Medford campus. He enjoys walks and bike rides along the Charles River, on the Minuteman Trail, and wherever he can stay clear of Boston traffic. He also enjoys being with friends, reading, traveling, and watching Netflix in small doses. Last but not least, Dan is a lifelong Trekkie.
Dan is a confidential resource on campus.