Assistant Dean of Religious Life
As the Assistant Dean of Religious Life, the Rev. Dr. Lyn Pace (he/him) helps facilitate the work of the twenty-two religious groups at Duke as well as coordinate the QuadEx Chaplains program. A lifelong United Methodist, Rev. Dr. Pace was ordained an elder in the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church in 2005. His first book was released in 2022, The Sacred Year: A Contemplative Journey through the Liturgical Year. He’s currently co-authoring his second book (to be published by University of Georgia Press) about the spirituality found in the music of Jimmy Buffett.
Prior to coming to Duke, Rev. Dr. Pace was the college chaplain at Oxford College of Emory University for almost sixteen years. In that role, he facilitated the work of ten religiously diverse student groups, led a travel program and retreats, taught classes and was an academic advisor, and oversaw the religious life of the college. Before that he was the associate chaplain, director of service learning, and director of the Bonner Scholars Program at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina from 2003 to 2009. From 2002 to 2003, he served as a minister in the British Methodist Church on the Isle of Wight in England.
In 2017, Rev. Dr. Pace graduated with his Doctor of Ministry degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory University with a focus on community engagement, specifically the town-gown relationship between the college and local city of Oxford, Georgia (where he served on city council from 2012 to 2016). He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in religion and history from Wofford College in 1999 and received the Master of Divinity degree from Candler School of Theology in 2002.
Lyn is married to Ami Hernández, and they have one child, Sam, as well as a dog, Barnaby.
He enjoys music of all kinds but especially the music of Jimmy Buffett. He’s an avid reader, runner, and lover of good food, especially when it involves gathering family, friends, and neighbors around the table!