John Leeker

John Leeker is the Associate Director of Library and Archives at Meadville Lombard Theological School, Secretary-Treasurer of UU Collegium, and Treasurer of the Unitarian Universalist Humanist Association. John came to Meadville Lombard in 2013, has been burrowing into the Meadville Lombard Archives ever since.

As a UU archivist, John works at the intersection of historical memory and social justice, using technology to help create and make accessible an archive that speak to all identities and experiences found within Unitarian Universalism.  He also consults with UU organizations and congregations across the United States to help preserve the history being made everyday throughout Unitarian Universalism. Beyond archiving, John works on issues of digital privacy and security for activists and ministers.

What is your message to a prospective student?

“There is no better place to drink deeply from the well of Unitarian Universalism and learn the spiritual, intellectual, and practical tools necessary to bend the arc of the moral universe towards justice. If you want to learn to do the work and do it well, come to Meadville Lombard.”

What do you like about working for MLTS? 

“I love working at Meadville Lombard not only because we do the justice making work of lifting up stories and experiences that would otherwise be forgotten, but because we can share these resources with our students and the larger UU community.”