Newman Center director reassigned to Oregon

After 11 years as director of the UW's Newman Center, the Rev. Thomas DeMan is being reassigned. His successor is the Rev. Steven Maekawa, a native Seattle resident and UW alumnus.

DeMan has served in campus ministry his entire priesthood, spanning six college campuses in 40 years. He feels that the questioning nature of campus ministry has suited him better than a regular parish.

"I needed the students," DeMan said. "I have always been a questioning person, and questions are allowed on college campuses."

Some of the Catholic Church's most trying times have occurred during DeMan's 40 years in the priesthood. He has endeared himself to students by not always following the status quo.

"If I write my journals, and they are published, I will probably be forbidden to preach again at any Catholic church," DeMan said.

DeMan's 11-year tenure at the UW -- the second longest in the Newman Center's history -- is highlighted by his integral role in the construction of the Prince of Peace Chapel, which was dedicated on Sept. 9, 2001. He hopes his legacy doesn't reside solely in the new building but rather in the strong Christian community he helped establish.

"People say my legacy is the new chapel," DeMan said, "but I feel my legacy is the strong church community now evident at UW."

Maekawa is hoping to establish a legacy of his own at the Newman Center. Born and raised in Bellevue, Maekawa graduated from the UW in 1992 with a bachelor's degree in architecture and played trumpet in the Husky marching band.

The Newman Center appointment is Maekawa's second assignment. He spent the past four years ministering in San Francisco at St. Dominic's Church, which hosts one of the largest and most active young adult groups in the western United States.

Maekawa said he is honored at being appointed chaplain to the University and excited about returning to Seattle. He has set several goals as new director of the Newman Center and looks forward to working with college students.

"I want to continue building on the previous success of the church," Maekawa said. "I also want to be a good Catholic representative for the University."

Maekawa credits much of the center's success to DeMan.

"He is a great Newman Center minister," Maekawa said. "One of the best I have worked with."

Maekawa will officially take over after Labor Day weekend, DeMan's last days at the center.

DeMan said that over the past four decades he has cooked thousands of meals for students on retreats and at barbecues and potlucks. On Labor Day evening, he will put together his "last meal" as a college chaplain before moving on to a position at the St. Benedict Retreat Center, located in McKenzie Bridge, Ore.