A Selfless and Engaging Chapel Dean

My grandmother invited me to lunch, early in my time at Princeton, because the family wanted her to keep an eye on me to see that I didn't get into too much trouble with all the exciting temptations college might offer. Also at lunch was the Dean of the Chapel, Rev. Ernest Gordon. I was chagrined, because I thought he would preach to me and spoil my lunch. Instead he focused on me, and made me feel special, and worthy of making the most of a Princeton education. I had no idea he was a WWII hero; he kept the focus on me. I never saw him again. Thirty-five years later, by chance, I rented the movie To End All Wars, and learned what a hero he was. I recognized him, in the real-life video at the end of the movie, taken just before he died. It took 35 years, but Dean Gordon taught me a powerful lesson about humility watching that movie. Rather than make the luncheon, so many years ago, about all of his heroic acts and selfless life, he put the focus on an 18-year old. Now I think of him and his selflessness weekly in the years that followed my learning of his amazing story.