Graduate Profile: Kristen Maples, MDiv '24
How I've Changed
During my time here at HDS I have experienced the most significant spiritual and personal transformations of my life. I would not have thought it possible to grow and change and accomplish so much in just three years! It is impossible to articulate all of it here but suffice it to say that I am leaving HDS a stronger and better person than when I arrived here.
Memorable Moment
My MDiv thesis was on watching horror films as a sacred practice, which involved repeatedly watching four films throughout the 2023-2024 academic year. Each of these viewings was a memorable and fulfilling experience, but it was the first viewing of "Scream" (1996) that is the most memorable. Shout-out to my HDS friends Emmeline and Caleigh who participated!
This was one of the first viewing/interview combos I conducted as part of this project, and I did not know what to expect. It was an absolute blast! We screamed and laughed and held on to each other at various moments. I do not usually feel much fear when watching horror, but there is something about the physical collective experience of group watching that brought it out of me. I have not been that scared or had that much fun watching a horror film since I was in middle school!
Thank you, Caleigh and Emmeline, for this memory. I will cherish it always. Not only did you contribute significantly to my master's thesis, but our group friendship blossomed out of this experience. Our friendship is beautiful and everlasting. Love you both!
Favorite Class or Professor
Professor Crowley's "Queering Congregations" was a fantastic course and I will always remember Crowley's presence as a lecturer and compassion for his students.
Professor Cheryl Giles's "Spiritual Care and Counseling" class was a significant contribution to my personal growth and professional growth as a chaplain.
Professor Greene-Hayes's "Black Religion on the Big Screen" was also top for me. I discovered an academic interest in film and this course helped me connect with the academic study of religion in a new way that was deeply fulfilling. I will always remember the fantastic conversations we had in this course. Greene-Hayes is a phenomenal discussion facilitator and his encyclopedic knowledge of literature is more than impressive. You will not leave a conversation with him without at least two perfect book recommendations.
Professor Gaston's "Witch Hunts" class also deserves mention. Gaston is a superb educator and I cannot think of words to do her justice. Also, the field trips for this course were an excellent part of its pedagogy.
Message of Thanks
As with many of my other classmates I could probably write a whole book thanking other people for their contributions, support, and assistance on this degree. Here are some:
The first person who comes to mind is my high school English teacher. I would not have graduated from high school on time, if at all, had he not given me a D instead of the F I had earned in both semesters of his class my senior year. His firm belief in me despite my abysmal performance in most of my classes throughout high school has continued to inspire me for the last 20 years. I'll never forget him writing that "D" on my report card in front of me and saying, "You and I both know you can do better." Turns out I can. Thank you for believing in me, Mr. Pollack.
Thanks always to my family. My parents and my siblings, Kelsey and Cory, were all there for me in important ways during a difficult time in my first year. Thank you Cory, for making me watch "Black Christmas" in 2022, which ultimately inspired my thesis project. My mother is my biggest, proudest, and loudest supporter. I couldn't thank her enough for everything she has done for me. Thank you for being you, Mom!
Thank you to Caleigh, Emmeline, Twyla, and Maeve for your friendship. I met you all at various stages of my degree here and I know in my heart that I have gained deep lifelong relationships. Meg and Kelli, your friendships both predate this degree but hold just as strong of a place in my heart. I love you all! Friendship is truly a gift and I thank you all for the laughter, support, fun, and connection.
Thank you to Cheryl Giles, who let me change my topic and completely rewrite a paper for "Spiritual Care and Counseling." This paper changed the course of my life and I would not be who I am today without that experience. You're the best!
Healon Gaston, thank you for your mentorship and for challenging me with my writing. You significantly improved not just my writing skills, but my confidence in them. Thank you also for allowing me to begin exploring my academic interest in horror films for your class, because it gave me the courage to continue pursuing the study of horror in the context of divinity school, which has been incredibly rewarding. You are a phenomenal teacher.
Thank you to Professor Greene-Hayes for being a kickass thesis advisor. Your guidance, expectations, and willingness to read so many drafts resulted in a beautiful paper that I could not be more proud of. Without you my thesis project would not even have been possible, so thank you for believing in it from the beginning. You happened to teach all the courses I took my final semester and I could not imagine a better end to my degree. Thank you for everything.
Thank you, Greg Epstein, for your mentorship as I participated in the Humanist Fellowship program here at Harvard in my final year. This was an incredibly fulfilling personal and professional experience that contributed significantly to the formation of my thesis and my future growth as a person and as a chaplain. You were the inspiration for me to become a Humanist celebrant.
Thank you also to my lifelong, Bridgette. I have learned so much from you and your continued love and support mean more than I can say. You are such an inspiration to me and I look forward to how you will continue to inspire me. I am certain that I would not have ended up at divinity school without our many conversations over the years about religion, spirituality, and personal growth. It makes sense that we attended divinity school at the same time. You are my light.
A huge thank you to my fellow students. Your contributions in and outside of class has never ceased to amaze me. You taught me so much and brought so much beauty to my social and academic experience. You are all so inspiring and I genuinely cannot wait to see what amazing things you will do in our world in the future! I'm so privileged to be graduating amongst such amazing humans.
Future Plans
Next year I will complete a residency in hospital chaplaincy in the midwest. During this time, I will pursue status as a Humanist celebrant and provide important services in the community such as weddings and funerals for those who would prefer an agnostic officiant.
I hope also to find some way to bring my thesis project into my work in some capacity, but still need to discern what that might look like.