Why do you enjoy teaching at Bluffton? What makes it unique?
This is a mission centered institution. We don’t have to compartmentalize our academic life from our Christian faith. Here I can be a Christian educator. I’m not interested in indoctrinating people, but educating them. We can approach moral issues with feelings of faith.
What excites me about teaching history?
I love conflicting narratives. History is an interpretation. I love to interpret history and teach students to interpret it. I don’t have the truth.
I knew I was destined to teach history when…
Probably when I graduated with my doctorate. I went to grad school after being a political activist, so I just assumed I would go back to that work after a few more years of school. Grad school kind of sucks you in and you start to get excited about teaching history. I was raised in an educated household as my father taught at a seminary and so I was around it growing up.
Favorite class to teach and why…
I was surprised how much I enjoy teaching the general education courses such as Christian Values in a Global Community and Issues in Modern America. In those classes, I deal a lot with non-history majors. They’re mission-driven courses. I also love teaching history and history majors.
Favorite place/time/event on campus…
Commencement. All the work is done, there is such joy but sadness at the same time. You realize, I’ll never be gathered with these people again. Everyone is excited and enthused. If students have stuck with the history major, I notice how far they have come in four years.
When I’m not teaching I enjoy…
Exercise, running and biking. I go fishing in the spring, that’s my reward for teaching. May is wonderful fishing weather in Ohio.
My favorite elementary/middle/high school teacher was who and why…
Fifth grade teacher Mr. Counts. He was a Civil War buff. I would go home and read Civil War books.
My first job was…
Mowing lawn and raking leaves as a kid.
As a college student…
I was a peace activist. I got involved in Christian peace activism and peace and social justice. During that time in my life, I encountered Mennonites while working for Habitat for Humanity in Georgia. A group of Mennonite volunteers lived next door and for them, peace and justice wasn’t weird.
Favorite vacation destination/activity…
California, the Sierra Mountains going backpacking and hiking. Hopefully this summer my wife and I can take the kids and go to the Shenandoah River.
Someday I would like to (what’s on my bucket list?)…
I’d love to take my wife to places I’ve traveled to before that she hasn’t seen. I’d love to backpack the San Gabriel mountains with my brother. I grew up right near them and I’d like to go back.
