Decorated Naval chaplain and Thiel College alumnus sharing his experience for Veterans Day

Posted November 06, 2023 Print

GREENVILLE, Pa.-- Thiel College is hosting U.S. Navy Captain, chaplain and alumnus Brian Stamm ’87 for a special online Common Hour presentation at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 9 in Stamm Lecture Hall of the James Pedas Communication Center as part of the College’s schedule of events recognizing Veterans Day.

Common Hour events are for students and faculty and staff members. Stamm is the Fleet Chaplain for U.S. Fleet Forces Command and the NAVNORTH Chaplain in Norfolk, Va. He was originally to speak on campus but worldwide developments have dictated that he stay in Virginia. Stamm is a native of Ellwood City, Pa. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in political science; a Master of Divinity degree from The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg, Gettysburg, Pa. in 1991; a Master of Military Studies degree from Command and Staff College, Marine Corps University, Quantico, Va. in 2003; and a Doctor of Ministry degree from The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in 2006.

Stamm was ordained by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, North Carolina Synod in 1991 where he served as a pastor. In 1994, he was commissioned a U.S. Navy Chaplain and graduated from the Naval Chaplains School, Basic Course, Newport, R.I. His first assignment was as Command Chaplain aboard the USS ANZIO, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser. He is a Fleet Marine Force Qualified Officer, a Navy Master Training Specialist, and a Navy Reserve Operational Support Officer. Additional assignments have included working at Camp Lejeune, N.C., serving the Presidential Helicopter Squadron One; Marine Corps Command and Staff College; First Marine Aircraft Wing, Okinawa, Japan, all with the Marine Corps. He was with the Expeditionary Combat Readiness Command individual augmentee (Joint Operations Center, U.S. Forces Iraq) and served aboard the USS KEARSARGE, a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, as Command Chaplain. He was U.S. Fleet Forces Deputy Fleet Chaplain, Navy Reserve Forces Command Deputy Force Chaplain and Program Manager, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, Force Chaplain and Force Chaplain for Navy Reserve Forces Command.

Stamm’s visit is part of the Veterans Day-related events. On Saturday, the College will honor local, alumni, employee and student veterans at halftime of the football game against Grove City College. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.