Erdel Receives Awards

Timothy Erdel, Ph.D., associate professor of religion and philosophy, received a research grant from Kenneth G. Elizinga, Robert C. Taylor Professor of Economics at the University of Virginia via the Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund. He also received a grant from the International Collaboration Committee of the American Theological Library Association for an internship for a Jamaican theological librarian. He will oversee this position this summer at Bethel. He was also recently named a Kern Fellow, which means he will attend Acton University in Grand Rapids this June, taking 12 intensive courses concerning economics.

Gillum Receives Doctorate, Publishes Articles

Deborah Gillum, Ph.D., associate dean of the School of Nursing, received her doctorate last December from one of the top-ranked nursing schools in the country, Rush University in Chicago, Ill. She completed her dissertation on, “An Exploratory Study of the Cardiovascular Knowledge, Beliefs and Healthcare Practices of the Old Order Amish in Northern Indiana.” Gillum also recently published articles in the “Journal of Transcultural Nursing” and the “Online Journal of Rural Nursing and Healthcare.”

Mclaughlin Receives Award

Elizabeth McLaughlin, Ph.D., assistant professor of communication, received an award for one of the top three papers in the National Communication Association (NCA) Spiritual Division. She presented her paper, “Building Bridges: A Study and Proposal of the Chartrain Labyrinth as Paradigm for the Transformational Journey of Interfaith Dialogue,” at the NCA convention in San Francisco last fall.

Meister Publishes More Books

Chad Meister, Ph.D., associate professor of philosophy, recently published: “The Cambridge Companion to Christian Philosophical Theology;” “The Oxford Handbook of Religious Diversity ;” “Evil: A Guide for the Perplexed;” and “Christian Thought: A Historical Introduction,” co-authored with James Stump, Ph.D., professor of philosophy. Meister will soon act as the editor-in-chief (with Paul Moser) in an upcoming series of academic books entitled, “Religion, Philosophy, and Society.” In addition, Meister will act as general editor (with Charles Taliaferro) in a seven-volume book series entitled, “A History of Evil.”

Online Program Welcomes New Director

Bethel welcomes Jason Edwards as the college’s first distance education director. He’s held various corporate and higher education management roles, as well as being the first to implement a successful distance education program
at LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas.

Dinner and a Book with Eskridge

Irene Eskridge, instructor of education, recently was a guest on WNIT-TV’s “Dinner and a Book.” Eskridge discussed the book, “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett, with host Gail Martin.

Patsy Fish Retires

After more than 17 years, Patsy Fish, business and social sciences secretary, retired last December. When she originally started at Bethel, she worked as a secretary for student development.

Crocker to Leave Bethel
Vice President of Academic Services Dennis Crocker, Ph.D., has accepted a new position with his alma mater, Olivet Nazarene University. Crocker will assume the position of dean of the School of Professional Studies at Olivet this summer.

tim-erdel Timothy Erdel, Ph.D., associate professor of religion and philosophy
deb-gillum Deborah Gillum, Ph.D., associate dean of the School of Nursing
e-mclaughlin Elizabeth McLaughlin, Ph.D., assistant professor of communication
c-meister Chad Meister, Ph.D., associate professor of philosophy
jim-stump James Stump, Ph.D., professor of philosophy
j-edwards Jason Edwards, distance education director
irene-eskridge Irene Eskridge, instructor of education
patsy-fish Patsy Fish, business and social sciences secretary
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