Appreciating Difference: Lessons in Faith, Friendship and Pluralism
Student Snapshot: Jonah Lenahan ’26
As a double major in religion and political science, Jonah Lenahan ’26 explores how faith and civic life intersect. A singer, student leader and interfaith organizer, he’s discovered that learning to appreciate others’ beliefs can deepen one’s own. “Learn not just to tolerate those who believe, act or think differently,” he says, “but to love those things which are different.”
Majors:
Religion and political science.
Hometown:
Lititz, Pa.
High School:
Warwick High School.
Best thing about my major:
My two majors have been excellent for different reasons. The political science major has led to lots of great scholarly debate, taught me to write more analytically and clearly, and has helped me to orient my views of the world we live in in light of the intensity of our country’s politics. The religion major is small, which means I have gotten to know my professors and fellow students well. It has also served as a mirror to the work I do in interfaith and religious life on campus, allowing me to take a step back and study the traditions I have gotten involved with through some fascinating academic lenses.
On studying abroad:
I studied abroad in Bologna, Italy, in the spring of my junior year. Some of my closest friends were with me, and I also got to know some other Dickinson folks I hadn’t spent much time with on campus. We got very acclimated to train travel there, and I got to visit close to 20 cities within Italy alone! I especially loved seeing the elaborate churches in the smaller cities and towns. My favorite trips were to Tuscany, San Marino and Umbria.
Post-Dickinson plans:
I aim to pursue higher theological education at a seminary or divinity school after taking some time off to work here in central Pennsylvania. Studying and engaging with faith traditions here has been a tremendous gift, and I think it has prepared me in a unique way to delve into the religious thought of my own tradition in post-grad.
Most important thing I’ve learned so far:
The value of pluralism, at college and in [broader] society. This is the lesson I’ve been taught over and over again, from participating in student government to singing with the Octals to organizing multifaith events. Learn not just to tolerate those who believe, act, think or were raised differently from you, but actually to love those things which are different. Father Ted Pulcini, who used to be a religion professor here and is involved with Orthodox Christian Fellowship, taught me that you can’t understand someone else’s faith tradition until you see the beauty in it. I think this applies to so much more in our relationships with other people than just religion, and I’d advise any and every student to live pluralistically while at Dickinson. The sooner we learn to do that, the happier and more understanding we will be.
Clubs and organizations:
The Octals, Center for Spirituality & Social Justice, Student Senate, Dickinson Christian Fellowship, Dickinson Catholic Campus Ministry and Orthodox Christian Fellowship.
Honors/scholarships/awards:
Presidential Scholarship and political-science honors society.
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Published January 7, 2026