"At first it was kind of whimsy, it was like 'oh I would love to be a Rabbi', then I realized I kinda wanted to do it. 'You know, now that I think about it'," said AQ junior John Wofford relaying his inner dialogue on deciding on going off to Rabbinical school after his graduation from Aquinas in December 2012. Dressed in a plaid shirt with a big, white, Apple computer sitting on the table, he looks the epitome of relaxed - truly and totally at peace with his choice.

The communication major related how Aquinas, like his choice to be a Rabbi, was sort of a spur of the moment decision. He credited the admission staff as being the most influential in his choice despite having never visited the campus.

"Basically my assumption about what Aquinas was, that I got from the admission staff before I came here paid off, and they were completely right about the community and the way people are on campus. And even the sort of the diversity in the fact that it’s a Catholic campus but there are so many different kinds of people here. That’s the kind of thing that you’re supposed to say in [marketing] literature but then to actually see that ‘oh that’s completely accurate’ and that there's a ton of different kinds of people here…" said Wofford.

The Georgia native cites his previous public speaking classes with communication professors David Weinandy, Ph.D., and Zoe Carmichael as having improved his people skills and encouraged him to work more closely with people.

"There is no doubt he is a unique combination of folksy and well-polished that perhaps is a trademark of his speaking. He is John when he speaks, and because he creates an interpersonal relationship with everyone in his audience, you feel like he is speaking directly to you,” said Weinandy.

Launching into a story about the night of his conversion last August, Wofford mentions that support from his peers and professors aided in his decision. After studying Judaism informally for many years, then formally for 10 months, Wofford said that he knew he wanted to be a Rabbi after his conversion. Having sent out applications to various Rabbinical schools, Wofford has applied both inside and outside the United States. His European choice is an interdenominational school that allows men and women of all faiths, and all levels of devotion, to grow much like the school of his choosing within the United States. Diversity is key for Wofford as he wants to be able to learn around those who are different in their faiths and opinions.

Liberal in his thinking, but fairly traditional in his practices, Wofford said, "I wanted to go to a school that is less preoccupied with how we name things and more preoccupied with what we're doing. It honestly, it was the same driving principal to come to Aquinas, too." He said that the organic nature of being able to talk to others of different faiths, or ideologies, is one of the main things that has kept him at AQ and is a driving force in his daily life.

He has yet to hear of anything regarding admittance but certainly isn't worried. He said that making his choice at the right time and then deciding which learning environment works the best for him are the hardest decisions.

Wofford’s two goals after completing Rabbinical school: the want to have a congregation (he would prefer a smaller one where he can get to know each member personally) and: interfaith dialogue. He wants to improve interfaith dialogue within a community and break stereotypes, not only about Judaism, but about those involved with religion. Interpersonal communication, he cites, is a way to learn about oneself and others, how people can communicate without conflict and develop themselves.

For those interested in religion, Wofford said, "Do something. Don’t just read it. Regardless of whether or not it’s Judaism, if you're curious about, you know, religion, or the lack of religion, and you think it might be for you." He said that you need to be comfortable to try, that you need to accept that you may not be comfortable with something but you should create your own opinions and be comfortable with them regardless.