The Rev. Louisa Ward (’14 MDiv) has been named Dean for Spiritual Life and Campus Minister at Campbell University after serving for nearly a decade in various roles with the Office of Spiritual Life.
A graduate of Meredith College who earned her Master of Divinity from Campbell in 2014, Ward was named Campus Minister in 2020, succeeding the Rev. Faithe Beam, now the Vice President for Student Life and Christian Mission. Beam said she is excited to see Ward promoted to her new role.
“She holds a steadfast commitment to the Christian mission of Campbell University and a passion for engaging students around the exploration, growth and expression of their faith,” Beam said. “Having been in Spiritual Life for 10 years, Rev. Ward has provided leadership for the growth of worship and spiritual formation opportunities for students as well providing presence and care for our campus community.”
Ward said the University’s Christian mission is an important part of what makes Campbell unique.
“It’s part of our culture, and we hope it’s part of the atmosphere here,” Ward said. “We hope that Campbell breeds welcome and belonging. When we ask students where our Christian mission is most clearly expressed, they always talk about a relationship on campus or a conversation they’ve had with a professor or a friend. We hope that this is a place where God’s presence can be known, felt and talked about.”
Ward said her greatest joy is being present with students as they discover who they are and who God is calling them to be. She said she is committed to making space for belief to flourish and faith to take root.
“That is our promise — to walk alongside students and to be present with students,” she said. “And so they know that when something happens, there is an open door, and we are here, ready to talk to them.”
Louisa Ward and her husband, Tyler Ward (’09, ’13 MDiv), the associate pastor of missions and adults at Forest Hills Baptist Church in Raleigh, are the parents of a daughter, Ivy, and currently reside in Fuquay-Varina.