Ian Delinger found his true calling by following his heart and his faith.

It’s fair to say Ian Delinger (’92) has always been attuned to signs from the universe. He wanted to pursue a career in food science after watching a film in high school on quality control at the Hershey chocolate factory. Growing up, he split time between Hay Springs, Nebraska, and Santa Maria, California, and he planned to attend college out west before the universe gave him another sign in the form of an acceptance
from Truman.

“My entire childhood, my plan was to go to UC Santa Barbara, simply because I was born in Santa Barbara, and we lived not far away,” Delinger said. “That didn’t happen because of that letter that was waiting for me when I returned to Nebraska from California that end-of-summer, 1987. I would have gotten a fantastic education at UCSB, but I would have been lost in a large institution. The personal attention from all professors and an institution that is genuinely concerned about you reaching your full potential are things no 18-year-old realizes the value of until they get it.”

Because of his academic aptitude, Delinger was offered a full-ride scholarship. In addition to his chemistry degree, he took some business classes and joined the Business Administration Club to bolster his career prospects.

“My plan was to start on the bench of a big chemical company and work my way up to management,” Delinger said. “The University did not offer a business minor at the time, so I was making one up, thinking some of that business acumen would rub off on me.”

His plan paid off, and Delinger returned to California for his dream job as a project manager for an environmental, health and safety consulting firm. He was also working with a local church and eventually felt pulled in another vocational direction, so he decided to attend seminary as a self-described “free agent.”

“I thought that it couldn’t hurt to know more about my faith in a deep dive sort of way,” he said. “As a Christian, I listen to what I think God is calling me to do in this world. It would probably be more accurate to state that I explored a call to ordained ministry, and that’s where I ended up.”

An admitted Anglophile, Delinger chose to study in England where he earned a bachelor’s degree in ministry from the University of Cambridge and a master’s degree in pastoral and practical theology from the University of Chester. Following his education, he served the Church in various capacities in England. All totaled, he spent nearly 15 years across the pond before returning to California. As a priest in San Luis Obispo, he serves members of his congregation wherever they are in life.

“What I love about my role is sharing in the key moments in the lives of God’s people,” Delinger said. “Whether that’s baptisms, weddings or funerals, having made the decision to retire, the excitement of booking a six-month round-the-world cruise, or sitting vigil with someone who is dying, it’s such a privilege to be invited into people’s lives in this way.”

Faith and the scientific fields are sometimes perceived as being at odds, but Delinger doesn’t see it that way at all. Many of the scientists he studied under and worked with were people of faith, and nearly every clergy member he knows has some training in the sciences. While he does not use his chemistry skills every day, Delinger credits his Truman degree for success in his current occupation, and he has no difficulties reconciling the relationship between the scientific fields and faith.

“My education at Truman is the foundation of my ability to learn more,” he said. “My brain is wired to ask questions, collect data, analyze, make conclusions and manage projects. All of those skills are required for what I do now. The more I do what I do, the more I see that God is very compatible with this material world.”

For the past few years Delinger has also looked out for a flock of a different nature – his fellow Bulldogs. In three years of service on the Truman Alumni Board, his world travels and home base nearly 1,900 miles from campus prompted him to advocate for one change in particular. With the help of the other board members and University staff, Truman now has an alumni association structure that allows every graduate to be a member, regardless of their geographical location. More information on the program can be found at truman.edu/alumni-donors/alumni-groups/alumni-association.