North Park University Recognizes Faculty Promotion and Tenure, Published Authors, New Deans

University Choir performs at annual convocation

CHICAGO (September 28, 2011) — North Park University recognized 13 faculty members who were promoted in rank or granted tenure for the start of the 2011 academic year. The University also recognized several faculty who published or edited books in the past year, and it installed three new academic deans.

The faculty and deans were recognized at a Sept. 26 University Convocation at Anderson Chapel, at which North Park University President David L. Parkyn presided. University Provost Joseph Jones and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Charles Peterson also took part in the convocation. The event included Scripture, hymns, prayers, litanies, and musical performances by the University Choir, led by Julia Davids.

"This is a special and delightful occasion which gives us an opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of a select group of people," Parkyn told the congregation. The individual accomplishments of the faculty, he said, represent a collective effort.

"The accomplishments of one reflect the accomplishments of many. The accomplishments of many reflect the accomplishments of all of us gathered at the University community," the University president said.

To be considered for promotion or tenure, a faculty member submits a formal application and supporting documentation to the Faculty Personnel Committee. Positive recommendations must be affirmed by the provost and the president. Their recommendations are then presented for consideration to the Academic Committee of the Board of Trustees. That committee's recommendations are then presented to the University's Board of Trustees for approval.

Faculty promotions

The following faculty were promoted to the rank of full professor:

Rachelle Ankney, mathematics
Elizabeth Gray, psychology
Lida Nedilsky, sociology
Kurt Peterson, history
Kelly Vanderbrug, art

Faculty granted tenure

Ilsup Ahn, associate professor of philosophy
Joan Andrea, associate professor of nursing
Michelle Clifton-Soderstrom, associate professor of theology and ethics
Jonathan Rienstra-Kiracofe, professor of chemistry

Faculty promoted and granted tenure

Laura Burt, associate professor of bibliography
Paul De Neui, professor of missiology
Nnenna Okore, associate professor of art
Johnny Wei-Bing Lin, professor of physics

Faculty authors and editors with books published during the past year

James K. Bruckner, Michelle A. Clifton-Soderstrom and Paul E. Koptak, editors, Living Faith: Reflections on Covenant Affirmations by the Faculty of North Park Theological Seminary

Paul H. DeNeui, editor, Suffering: Christian Reflections on Buddhist Dukkha

Paul H. De Neui and Sawai Chinnawong, That Man Who Came to Us

Lorenzo Florián, A Comparative and Dialectical Lexicon of Variation in Modern Spanish Vocabulary: Tracking Linguistic Differences Across Cultural, National, and Dialectical Boundaries

Gordon D. Fee and Robert L. Hubbard Jr., editors, The Eerdmans Companion to the Bible

Roger E. Hedlund, Sebastian Kim and Rajkumar Boaz Johnson, Indian & Christian: The Life and Legacy of Pandita Ramabai

Barbara Levandowski, The Adventures of Muffin and Alexander: A New Home, a New Beginning and The Adventures of Muffin and Alexander: Let the Explorations Begin

Scot McKnight, The King Jesus Gospel: The Original Good News Revisited

C. John Weborg, Made Healthy in Ministry for Ministry

New Academic Deans

The University also formally installed three recently appointed academic deans. They are Linda Duncan, School of Nursing, a North Park University professor of nursing and holder of the Gretchen Carlson Memorial Chair in Nursing; Craig Johnson, School of Music, former chair and professor of music at Otterbein University, Westerville, Ohio; and Bryan Watkins, School of Adult Learning, former chief academic and administrative officer, School of Leadership and Continuing Studies, Dominican University, River Forest, Ill.

"We welcome you to the administrative team of North Park University," Parkyn said. "We need the expertise and skills, the passion and commitment each of you brings to this place. We are thankful you have chosen to serve with us, and we commit to be your colleagues even as you have chosen to work with us."

 

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For further information or resources, contact John Brooks, Director of Media Relations and News, via email or at (773) 244-5522. Learn more about North Park University.