The University of Southern California (USC) has become the first major American university to appoint a member of the Hindu faith to their top religious position as Dean of Religious Life. Dean Varun Soni will take over the position on July 1, 2008.

He will replace the retiring USC pioneer, current Dean of Religious Life Rabbi Susan Laemmle, who was the first non-Christian to lead a major university in religious life.

Dean Soni holds a bachelor’s degree in religion from Tufts University, a master’s degree in Theological Studies from Harvard University, a master’s degree in comparative religion from UCSB, and a juris doctor degree from UCLA. A native of India, he was raised in Southern California.

USC has the largest enrollment of international students at an American university, with over 7,000 scholars from more than 100 countries. USC has 70 student religious groups and 35 Religious Directors on campus.