/ The Bark/ Where do you feel most at home? Where can you be your fullest self?

Where do you feel most at home? Where can you be your fullest self?

Guest columnist: Hilary Martin Himan, Chaplain and Director of the Center for Spiritual Life

February 09, 2026

At the Center for Spiritual Life, we like these questions. We explore these questions specifically in The Studio, a weekly gathering of religious, spiritual, and unaffiliated students. I’m excited to see what unfolds — look for the zine that will emerge later this semester. For me, being my fullest spiritual self often means moving more into my body and less into my head. On February 15, I’ll be leading an embodied spirituality InterPlay workshop. Come join me! For some, feeling most at home or being their fullest self includes practicing their faith or engaging in traditions that connect them to their ancestors and communities. As we move through the coming weeks, may we be mindful and supportive of one another during several important religious seasons/holidays.

Ramadan begins on or around February 17. Muslims around the world observe this holy month through prayer, reflection, and fasting from dawn to sunset. The Center for Spiritual Life wants to support all of our observant Muslims during Ramadan while at Lewis & Clark, so please reach out with needs. The Muslim Student Association can also offer support (msa@lclark.edu.) To wish someone well, you can say “Ramadan Mubarak” (Blessed Ramadan). It’s kind to be mindful of fasting by avoiding comments about eating or drinking.

Lent begins for many Christians on February 18 with Ash Wednesday. This season of reflection leads to Holy Week and Easter and may include receiving ashes, fasting, or taking on a meaningful practice. The Center for Spiritual Life is offering an “Ashes to Go” in the morning of Feb. 18th and can help connect students to faith communities off campus.

Please reach out if you need religious or spiritual accommodations for housing or other needs, help connecting with a faith community, or simply want a place to be. I’m here for you!

Hilary Martin Himan, Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Life

Congrats Seniors and Cheers to Summer!

Hello L&C Students!

This final Bark of the year also kicks off your finals and move-out week. I know when finals are here because the Fowler meeting rooms start bursting at the seams and every dry erase board is covered with elaborate formulas and delirious musings in various mixtures.

Whether you have papers, exams, or presentations, you are so close to the end of the semester and it’s the last push to a long deserved break, or graduation! As the week goes along be sure to look to your peers for mutual support, relief, humor, and community. There will be a variety of study break events and locations throughout campus this week, like Watzek’s Pop-up Decompression Room.

To our graduates, it has been wonderful to see our community celebrate you at various April graduation celebrations, and I look forward to this Saturday’s commencement! I hope the parts of your L&C experience that stay with you as alumni are as meaningful as the contributions and impacts you have made here.

I look forward to seeing most of you back here on campus for Fall 2026 to help kick off our first full year as River Otters! Until then, I hope this summer provides you the rest and experiences you envision for yourself, and do what you need to do to get ready for the next year on Palatine Hill. And if you are here for the summer, come by the VPSL Office in East Hall to say hello!

So hang in there this week! Take the time to center yourself and remember to check in with each other. I’m excited for what’s to come, and congratulations again on reaching the finish line!

With gratitude,

Ben Meoz
Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students

Where do you feel most at home? Where can you be your fullest self?

More Stories

Congrats Seniors and Cheers to Summer!

L&C’s Portal Renamed The Dock

Apply for Watzek’s library research award!

Summer reading at (or away from) Watzek