Reverend Denise Tracy '72,I give back to honor my mother's memory and to enable others to receive what I received...I am forever filled with gratitude."
FOUNDERS' PLANNED GIVING SOCIETY MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
I was very fortunate as a student at the University of Hartford. I received a four-year scholarship for voice lessons and music theory in an auditioned competition when I was in the 9th grade. Thanks to my mother, Theresa B. Tracy, when it was time for me to enter the University in 1968, I already knew the school well.
My mother worked at the University, first in Admission and then in Student Services. She was an intelligent and caring woman, who had been valedictorian of her high school class and was given a full scholarship to a prestigious all-female school. Her father did not believe in education for women and, against his wishes and without the support of her family of 13 siblings, she left. She was a farm girl—without the clothes, culture, or life experience to navigate the college environment, struggling to fit in—and by Thanksgiving, she decided to return home for good. Throughout her life, however, she always felt that she had needed more—something she did not receive from the college she attended.
As an employee of the University, my mother was constantly on the lookout for students who seemed to need more support, taking them to lunch and checking in on them. Some of these students kept in touch for years until her death, even traveling to Vermont for yearly visits. My mother had given to others what she had once needed. It was out of this experience that she founded the Red Cap program, training students to give tours, answer questions, mentor new students, and serve as examples of student success to help others. She was so proud of this program and loved "her" students. I had the opportunity to be a part of the Red Caps before my first year; it was fun to work with her and support her dream of helping new students.
When I was a student at the University, I knew early on that I wanted to go into parish ministry but was instead encouraged to study subjects that would broaden my scope and understanding of people, life, and the world. I studied English literature and all my electives were spent at The Hartt School. After completing my degree in just three years, I went on to earn a master's in ministry (M. Div) and was helped tremendously by my previous studies in music, writing, and literature. Music expands and deepens the spiritual experience of worship. From literature, I learned about the importance of telling a good story and writing, and all of my performances in recitals translated well into the discipline of preaching and public presentation skills. My undergraduate participation in committees and clubs helped me in my daily decision-making and community collaborations.
My first job was as the campus minister at UHart in the mid-1970s, where I helped set up a women's center, creating programs focusing on feminism, self-esteem, rape prevention, and more. From UHart, I moved on to support students at Michigan State University, then became Senior Minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lansing. This was followed by a position on their denominational staff, covering five Midwestern states and providing support to congregations as a District Executive. I also served on numerous boards and committees in the communities, and performed my first Holy Union ceremony in 1974 (non-legal wedding for gay and lesbian couples). Since then, I have been an advocate for marriage equality, participating in numerous marches for progressive causes.
After 42 years of service, I retired from the ministry in 2014 but have remained active, mainly as a police chaplain for Elgin, Illinois, providing trusted emotional and spiritual support for the police and community, particularly during times of crisis. I also continue to preach every Sunday at various locations, officiate at about 50 weddings a year, and tutor at a middle school twice a week. I like being busy! My mother's favorite saying was, "Busy hands are happy hands." I am guilty of living out her mantra.
I have had a fulfilling and exciting career as a member of the clergy and serving the community, but I always make it a point to give back to the University of Hartford. I give back to honor my mother's memory and to enable others to receive what I received. The University has given much to me and I loved my years there. Education is a gateway to success—through my experiences, I was well prepared to build a successful, satisfying, and rewarding life and was able to confidently navigate new situations throughout my career. I am forever filled with gratitude.
MORE ABOUT REVEREND DENISE TRACY:
Tracy resides in Elgin, Illinois, where she serves as police chaplain, is president of an inclusive clergy group, and serves on the Coalition of All Clergy. She handles critical stress management when a tragic death occurs, responds to accidents and death notifications, and provides support within the police force to reduce the suicide rate, a rate currently higher than from on-the-job violence. She recently worked with the mayor and police chief to develop policies for undocumented immigrants stopped for traffic violations, stating only those convicted of a felony can be reported to INS or ICE. In 2014, Tracy was honored with the Martin Luther King Jr. Citizenship Award for her work in making Elgin an International City of Peace. Tracy is also a survivor of stage four breast cancer and, to support breast cancer research and care, participated in a 39-mile AVON walk for which she personally raised thousands of dollars, placing her in the highest level of fundraisers for the event. She has been happily married to her husband of 36 years, with whom she has adopted three special needs children, now ages 42, 32, and 22. She and her husband are the proud grandparents of her eldest daughter’s three children.