Meet the team: BTFO Coordinator Geronimo Desumala

I’m Geronimo Desumala, and I’m serving as the BTFO Coordinator. My task is, in collaboration with Associate Dean of Student Affairs Jeanne Peloso, to generally manage the planning of orientation, and when orientation actually happens, I’ll steward us through, making sure we cover all the essentials while still having a good time and building community. Over the summer, I’ve been working on the schedule, writing blog articles like this, and making sure all the little details speak to not only how much we’re thrilled that you’re coming, but also how much we understand that you’re probably thirsty for all sorts of information about, well, everything. To that end, let me just take a moment to invite you to reach out to me if you have any questions, concerns, desires, fun facts. Chances are, you’re not the only one! 

 

I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. I left California for Maine to attend Colby College, where I majored in Art (History and Photography) and graduated in 2006. I moved to New York City that summer where, for most of my 12 years there, I worked for faith-based not-for-profits. I spent most of my time at the United Nations, working for the World Council of Churches Ecumenical UN Office as the Advocacy Officer. My portfolio consisted of climate justice, gender justice, indigenous peoples, and LGBT/SOGI human rights. Outside of work, I served on several boards including the Center for Earth Ethics at Union Theological Seminary and Trinity Place Shelter for homeless LGBTQ youth.

 

This Fall, I’ll be a second-year MDiv. My academic interests (for the moment!) center on practical theology. Currently, I’m doing some research on the idea that if we understand the theology of our lives to be written onto our bodies (e.g. trauma, illness), how can we then rewrite our theologies with our bodies? I hope to spin this into my work after graduating from YDS in 2021. Concurrently, I am seeking ordination in the United Church of Christ.

 

I like to think that I do a pretty good job of striking a work-life balance (I better, I’m 35!). You can count on me throughout the year to wrangle people for a snowball fight on the quad, to have people over for a homecooked meal, to be a gym buddy, and to make late night runs to Dairy Queen. I am also always dying to get out of New Haven to do something other than study. Luckily, I live down the shoreline in Clinton, CT, minutes away from Hammonasset State Beach Park, dozens of fried seafood shacks, and general quaint New England seaside charm. Having spent all of my adult life between Maine and New York, I’d be happy to give you pointers for weekend trips and seasonal activities.

 

After finishing my first year of seminary, I am 100% convinced that I picked the right place to be doing the right thing, alongside the right people at the right time. Probably like many of you, I was scared shitless right around this time last year. I needed to leave my job, leave my friends and chosen family in New York, give up a salary, and basically start a new life. But the growing pains were much easier to handle with an extraordinary group of classmates and friends, doing and studying super incredible things. I hope the same holds true for you!

 

I’m going to temporarily suspend my rule for accepting Facebook friend requests only from people I’ve met before. So, go ahead, hit send! Otherwise, I can’t wait to meet you all in August!