# A Legacy of Support November 03, 2022 ![Richard Coutinho, MTS '94, inside Divinity Hall chapel](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/hds2/files/richard_coutinho_1_900.jpg?itok=8urU62jU) Richard Coutinho, MTS '94, inside Divinity Hall chapel. Richard Coutinho generously attributes his success as a lawyer—and his passion for social justice—to his Harvard Divinity School education and the formative experiences of being a student here in the early 1990s. When he was first admitted to HDS, Coutinho originally intended to pursue a PhD and career in academia, but as he found his own voice, he also heard the undeniable call to help others do the same. Decades later, Coutinho still finds himself guided by the drive to make a difference. In a recent interview, he offered insights on his dedication to helping the School fulfill its mission: educating students of religion for intellectual leadership, professional service, and ministry. **HDS**: Can you tell us a little about your background and what drew you to Harvard Divinity School as a student? **COUTINHO**: I was interested in Harvard Divinity School before I even heard of it. When I was 19, I took an undergrad course at McGill University on South Asian anthropology, and one of the required readings was Professor Diana Eck's book, *Darshan: Seeing the Divine Image in India*, about how divinity is perceived in Hindu tradition and culture. Before then, I had never thought about studying religion. I come from a Roman Catholic background—in that my ancestors were colonized by the Portuguese in India and this is why my last name is Portuguese. So, Professor Eck's book about the impact religion has on society struck me as undeniably important. After taking more undergraduate religion courses, I applied to HDS, which I thought would be a stepping-stone to a glorious PhD program so I could go on and become a professor. Yet, the fascinating thing about divinity school for me was how the intellectual pursuit served as a mere starting point. My deepest learning revolved around meaning and identity, which I wasn't expecting. HDS helped me find my authentic voice within an exceptional community of folks from all different backgrounds striving to do the same. We were asked to think about more than objective facts and history lessons, which led me to wonder: whose voices aren't being heard? And of course, this brought up my own background, which is my parents came to Canada as refugees from Uganda, after earlier generations of my family were colonized in India. Additionally, these feelings around being different or being an outsider were multilayered: I am gay and had never really thought about what that meant until my time at Divinity School. What I started to notice was how marginalized, displaced, or quiet voices could be amplified with the right support and advocacy. That's what was so formative—I arrived thinking I was going to be a professor, but left thinking: "How can I help amplify marginalized voices the way that HDS taught me to do through my own lived experience?" And that line of questioning led me to law. **HDS**: How has your HDS education shaped your career and post­ graduation pursuits? ![Richard Coutinho, MTS '94, standing outside Divinity Hall](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/hds2/files/richard_coutinho_2_800.jpg?itok=qv3JIWYJ) **COUTINHO**: I did not think about law until I came to HDS, but both law and religion are concerned with how rules shape society and how said rules can either engage or exclude people. For me, the coherence is obvious, and I have strived to use my education from Harvard (both HDS and the Law School) to amplify the voices of people who might be otherwise pushed to the margins of society. I began my practice representing individuals who had been found mentally incapable of dealing with their legal issues—a population that can be particularly vulnerable and in need of ethical legal guidance. This is where I first saw how caring for those who have been marginalized could make a real difference. After many years practicing in that area, I started to think about what my next chapter might look like, and the Divinity School's emphasis on service and justice yet again guided me. I now work for the Law Society of Ontario to address the concerns of people who have been taken advantage of by dishonest lawyers—people who have been marginalized by my own profession. When reflecting on whether I would have been drawn to this type of work if not for Harvard Divinity School, I must admit the answer is likely no. It's HDS that's in the back of my mind posing the question: "Richard, how can you make a difference?" That has stayed with me for the nearly 30 years since I've graduated, and I love Harvard Divinity School for that reason. **HDS**: You have generously supported the HDS Fund every year for nearly a decade and have also made a planned gift to the School. Can you share your reflections on why that kind of unrestricted support is important and powerful? **COUTINHO**: I think what's important for anyone with a connection to the Div School to understand is that cherished places don't just happen. They need support and they need involvement from others. And at the Divinity School, perhaps unlike other Schools at Harvard, significant lump-sum donations, though extraordinarily helpful, are rare. What I appreciate so much about the HDS Fund is that any amount helps support the Divinity School's mission and creates a ripple effect for all the communities graduates go on to serve. As for my planned gift, I must confess I waited until I was in my 50s to finalize my will (which goes against my own professional advice). That said, as I was reflecting on my life, I couldn't help but think about the people and places that meant the most to me. Harvard Divinity School not only helped me find my career path, it allowed me to find my own voice so that I could help others do the same. I could think of no better way to honor that legacy than to gift a bequest to benefit future generations of scholars and leaders. "Every time I visit the Divinity School, I feel invigorated. Just seeing how the students are engaged with what they're learning—and the wonderful new spaces inside and out that encourage people to sit down and talk or quietly meditate—it really feels like a place of meaningful exchange. Invigoration, that's why I come back so often. And even if it's just walking around the labyrinth (we didn't have that when I was here!) or sitting down in Divinity Chapel where Ralph Waldo Emerson made that historic speech, the calmness allows me to reenergize and return to my work with a renewed dedication to making a difference." **HDS**: In addition to your financial support, you are also deeply engaged as an alum. What advice would you give to others who may want to deepen their connections with the HDS community? **COUTINHO**: It's the same advice I would give to a new student: discover everything that Harvard Divinity School has to offer. There are multiple ways to make meaningful contributions, from making monthly donations, to learning about planned giving, to engaging with the Alumni/Alumnae Council, to attending one of the many events the School offers. Staying connected with the HDS community is also an opportunity to reflect again on motivations nurtured at HDS: "Am I doing something meaningful? Am I using my voice to make a difference?" And I hope these connections inspire you to use your voice as a force for good. *—by Amie Montemurro and Kristin Ponte* ## HDS Fund at a Glance **Purpose** By supporting key priority areas for the School, the HDS Fund helps create new knowledge of religion and prepare ethical, religiously literate leaders who work for a better world. **Fun(d) Facts** - 90 percent of HDS students rely on financial aid support - 67 percent of HDS Fund donors are Harvard alumni - $1-$50,000: the range of gifts contributed to the HDS Fund **Priority Areas Supported by the HDS Fund** *Empowering Future Scholars and Leaders* Financial aid increases access to an HDS education and helps our students discover pathways of purpose and global impact as scholars, practitioners, ministers, advocates, and more, without the burden of educational debt. *Generating New Knowledge and Deeper Understanding* HDS faculty are leaders in the study of religion, continually generating new knowledge and a deeper understanding of the impact religion has on human society. Supporting their teaching and research helps expand scholarly expertise and multireligious education. *Stewarding Spaces That Build Community* By fostering reflection, exchange, and spiritual practice, campus spaces (like those of the newly renovated Swartz Hall) play an integral role in shaping the learning experiences and community at HDS. *Inspiring Change and Meaningful Action* Investing in new initiatives, while supporting the success of existing programs, promotes future growth in the study of religion and helps HDS adapt to changes in the field—a vital need for leaders navigating rapidly evolving religious, social, and political landscapes. See also:- [ Alumni News and Profiles ](/discover-stories-about/alumni-news-and-profiles)