Faculty/Staff News – Spring 2022
Doctorates Earned
Rick Becker, assistant professor of nursing, completed his Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree from Indiana Wesleyan University in December 2021. His evidence-based practice project was titled: “Moral Resilience Formation for Novice Staff Nurses.”
Susan Lee, assistant professor of education, earned her doctorate in education leadership and learning, with a specialization in instructional design, from Aspen University (Denver, Colo.). Her dissertation was titled: “Knowledge and Application of TPACK by Education Faculty.”
Kim Meyer, assistant professor of education, successfully defended her doctoral research in February and will graduate with a doctor of education degree from Oakland City University (Oakland City, Ind.) in May. Her dissertation was titled: “The Impact of a Foundational Diversity Course on Pre-Service Teachers and their Self-efficacy to Teach Diverse Learners.”
Retirements
Diane Myers, assistant professor of education, will retire in May after 15 years of teaching at Bethel. Her work has focused on educational leadership, learning disabilities, and mild and moderate/severe disabilities.
Bryan Isaac, Ph.D., professor of chemistry, will retire in May after 25 years of teaching at Bethel. In addition to teaching chemistry, his work has focused on the intersection of science and faith.
New Director and Promotions
Lisa Cutting began as director of human resources in January. She brings a wealth of knowledge and wide breadth of work experience ranging from working in the court system to running the finance and personnel operations of a local business.
Michelle Fish, Ph.D., was promoted to associate professor of education and tenured*.
Amber Beamer-Rohde was promoted to associate professor of psychology and tenured*.
Edwin Carrington, associate professor for American Sign Language & Deaf Studies and chair of the Sign Language & Interpreting Department, was tenured*.
Lisa Ericson, DNP, was promoted to associate professor of nursing and tenured*.
Joy Barnes, DNP, was promoted to associate professor of nursing*.
*Effective for the 2022-23 school year.
Articles Published
Chad Meister, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, published the article, “Christianity,” in the Encyclopedia of Philosophy of Religion, Wiley-Blackwell (2021). He says, “Philosophy played a seminal role in the history of Christian thought, and Christianity influenced much of western philosophy. This article explores some of these historical influences and the ongoing important relationship between Christianity and philosophy.”
Deb Gillum, Ph.D., dean of nursing, collaborated with Goshen Health to research, “The Perceptions and Experiences of Newly Licensed Registered Nurses During a Pandemic.” These findings have been presented at the Indiana Nursing Summit and the Sigma Theta Tau research consortium.
Williams to be Ordained in Evangelical Covenant Church
Theo Williams, Ph.D., chair, literature and language and associate professor of communication, will be ordained in the Evangelical Covenant Church in June. A bi-vocational professor/pastor, he serves as the pastor of Covenant Community Church in South Bend, Ind. He believes going through this process is important, because it affirms God’s calling on his life, while demonstrating a commitment he has to his church and the church has to him.
