A Grateful Sendoff: Antepli to Lead Rothko Chapel

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Abdullah Antepli, Director of the Polis: Center for Politics at the Sanford School of Public Policy and Professor of the Practice, will be leaving Duke University to serve as the next President of the Rothko Chapel in Houston.

Antepli has spent 17 years at Duke, where he has become a respected leader in public life and an influential voice at the intersection of faith, ethics, and policy. His transition to lead the Rothko Chapel, a renowned institution of art, spirituality, and social justice, marks the next chapter in a distinguished career of service and scholarship.

He joined Duke in 2008 as the university's first Muslim chaplain and later served as Chief Representative for Muslim Affairs and associate director of the Duke Islamic Studies Center. In 2019, Antepli joined the Sanford faculty, holding a joint appointment with the Duke Divinity School. In his time at Sanford, Antepli has helped the school advance its mission of preparing ethical leaders by creating spaces for dialogue across political, religious, and ideological differences.

In 2024, Antepli was appointed Director of the Polis: Center for Politics. He immediately brought his unique energy to the center, strengthening its role as a national leader in fostering pluralism and democratic engagement. One of his first acts as director was integrating the Civil Discourse Project into Polis, broadening the center's scope and sharpening its focus on the civic and moral dimensions of public life.

Under Antepli’s leadership, Polis became a place where students could learn how to engage across difference with humility and rigor. One of the hallmark efforts under Antepli's leadership was the 'Bridging the Divide' series, which brought national leaders together to model respectful dialogue across political differences. A notable example was a conversation featuring U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan and Richard Burr, who found common ground despite differing political views. The event, part of the larger "Bridging the Divide" initiative, embodied Antepli’s commitment to fostering civil discourse at Duke and beyond. Antepli was also instrumental in recruiting national leaders to join Sanford in the upcoming academic year as part of this mission. Danny Werfel, former IRS Commissioner, and Michael S. Regan, former EPA Administrator, will each serve as Distinguished Fellows at Polis, where they will contribute to programming on democratic norms and civic engagement. Their appointments reflected Antepli’s commitment to ensuring that the work of civil discourse and public service would continue to thrive at Sanford. 

Campus-wide, his work helped make Duke a model for how universities can engage with the complexities of a diverse society. As a Muslim-American imam and one of the few scholars working at the intersection of religion and public policy, Antepli became a national advocate for pluralism and interfaith dialogue. He was recognized with the Anti-Defamation League’s Daniel Pearl Award in 2022 and was elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences in 2023.

“Abdullah Antepli’s deep commitment to fostering dialogue across difference had a profound impact on Duke University and inspired students, faculty, and staff to do the difficult work of engaging with different backgrounds and beliefs,” said Provost Alec D. Gallimore. “I am grateful for his service to this institution and congratulate him on his new position with the Rothko Chapel.”

The Rothko Chapel, located in Houston, Texas, is both a sacred space and an international center for human rights. Founded in 1971, the Chapel houses 14 monumental paintings by artist Mark Rothko and hosts public programs at the intersection of art, spirituality, and social justice. It serves more than 100,000 visitors annually and offers a unique platform for civic and interfaith engagement.

Antepli will begin his new role at a pivotal time in the Chapel's history, as the institution embarks on an ambitious expansion of its campus and programming. He will lead efforts to deepen the Chapel’s global reach while preserving its mission as a contemplative space dedicated to dialogue and justice. 

His warmth and clear compassion will always be remembered in the story of Sanford. The late Professor Joel Fleishman, founding director of the Sanford School and a longtime colleague of Antepli, offered words of praise during a 2023 event celebrating Antepli’s work. "Abdullah has brought to Duke not only intellectual rigor and interfaith wisdom but also a depth of human empathy that is rare and transformative. His legacy will endure in the countless students, faculty, and staff whose lives he has touched."

That impact has only widened since. 

"Abdullah Antepli has helped Polis grow into a vibrant space for civic dialogue and intellectual humility," said Manoj Mohanan, Interim Dean of Sanford. "He embodies the values we hold dear at Sanford: curiosity, integrity, and a deep respect for difference. Abdullah has been a dear friend, colleague, and mentor to so many of us at Duke.  While his departure from Duke is a significant loss to our intellectual and humanitarian community, we know the Rothko Chapel will benefit immensely from his leadership."

While excited about the new adventure, Antepli expressed the indelible mark that Duke will leave on his life. 

"Leaving Duke after 17 extraordinary years is profoundly bittersweet. This university has been more than just a place of work—it has been a home, a community, and a source of deep inspiration. I am forever grateful to my colleagues, students, and friends across this campus who challenged me, supported me, and helped me grow both intellectually and spiritually. Duke has shaped who I am today, and while I look forward to the new chapter ahead, a piece of my heart will always remain in Durham and connected to this Gothic wonderland. Go Duke!"

Both Duke University and the Sanford School of Public Policy remain fully committed to the Polis: Center for Politics. Polis's programming is deeply connected to Duke and Sanford’s mission, including projects related to civil discourse, challenges to democracy, leadership development, and policy analysis at state, local, national, and global levels. An Interim Director for Polis will be announced in the coming weeks.