Chaplain Sami Aziz
Chaplain Sami Aziz, a 2105 graduate from Wesleyan University, is Choate’s new chaplain for Muslim students. As a friend of the previous Muslim chaplain, when a spot opened, he jumped at the opportunity. Since participating in an internship here six years ago, he has loved Choate’s diversity and respect for religion.
Off campus, Chaplain Sami leads a non-profit organization, Common Ground Services, which he founded soon after graduating. Members of the organization, including himself, give talks to various communities about Islamophobia, being Muslim, and women of Islam. Already, he has visited Salisbury University, Ethel Walker School, and many other academic institutions. At Choate, he hopes to inform students about Islam, connect with other religious groups, and host interfaith events. As for the students themselves, he hopes they will build a connection with a Muslim student before they graduate.
Chaplain Sami admires the Prophet Muhammad and Omar Suleiman for their optimism and ability to deal with conflicts in a calm manner and plans to express the same attitude towards students. In his free time, Chaplain Sami likes hiking, archery, watching a Turkish TV show called Ertugrul, Indian food, and spending time with his wife. Currently, he is trying to earn a doctoral degree in ministry, focusing on how to reach out to students.
Every Friday, Chaplain Sami leads a sermon in the Spears Center, to which all are welcome to attend. He is always available for advice afterwards and during his office hours, which are 4-6 P.M. on Friday. Although he doesn’t spend a lot of time on campus, he already loves the School and the atmosphere, and he hopes to stay here for years to come.
– Amanda Li ’21
Mr. Jeremy Oliver
Mr. Jeremy Oliver, a recent graduate from the University of Connecticut and a resident of North Haven, is one of the newest additions to our mathematics department. After being contacted by Choate for a job interview, he was impressed by the School’s encouraging and passionate administrators, as well as the beautiful campus. As a teaching fellow at Choate, he teaches two pre-calculus classes and will be coaching the swim team this winter.
Mr. Oliver’s passion for math stems from his belief that the field of study teaches others to overcome problems by focusing on the core and ignoring all superficial details. Although he has a wide area of expertise, with a major in mathematics and a minor in psychology, he especially likes proofs, logic, and calculus. A true extrovert at heart, Mr. Oliver chose teaching to be able to express his outgoing personality. His personal advice to all students is to “Make mistakes as fast as you can.”
Aside from his studies, Mr. Oliver greatly enjoys watching the sci-fi show Black Mirror, playing ultimate frisbee, and watching the Olympics. In college, he was an avid singer, touring with his a cappella group and even performing at Carnegie Hall.
Already, Mr. Oliver has grown to love the vibrant energy at Choate and has developed a soft spot for the frosted brownies found in the dining hall. Mr. Oliver hopes that at Choate he will be able to familiarize himself with as many students and staff members as possible.
– Amanda Li ’21
Photos are from the Choate Directory.
