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Father George Collins, then just Mr. Collins, was working in the electrical utility industry when he realized that something was missing in his life.

So he did what any middle-aged person would do: he quit his day job and followed his life-long interest in religion by joining the Jesuits at age 39.

“The idea of becoming a priest seemed like a natural thing to do,” he said .

Recently, Fr. Collins joined the University community as the coordinator for the Office of Mission & Identity. The office seeks to promote Jesuit and Catholic identity while recognizing other diverse religions, according to Collins.

The office tries to maintain a “shared dialogue” on religion by promoting events such as a faculty book club. Collins also works with spiritual groups on campus, including the Muslim Students Association, Kadima and an orthodox Christian group.

Fr. Collins lives on campus with 11 other Jesuits in the Fairfield Jesuit Community House. When asked if living in the house is like living in a residence hall, Fr. Collins said the experience is a bit different.

“It’s more like a family than a college dorm situation,” he said, adding that he eats many meals with his housemates and participates in communal prayer with them. “ A very, very toned down college experience,” as he described it.

Fr. Collins studied accounting during his undergraduate years at Boston College. But he really enjoyed the philosophy and theology courses he took as part of the school’s core curriculum.

Fr. Collins went on to earn masters degrees in pastoral ministry and philosophy. He entered the Society of Jesus in 2000 and pronounced vows in 2002, according to Campus Currents.

Aside from religion, Fr. Collins enjoys music.

“I’m one of the 10 great shower singers in the world,” he said. “I love to sing.”

Fr. Collins also senses something very moving about Fairfield.

“I’ve only been here three months. There’s a tremendous goodness about the faulty, staff and students I’ve met here,” he said. “There’s a lot of good people here and I’m pleased to be here.”

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