Houghton, NY听 鈥� 黑料科 is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Joshua R. Ziefle as Provost and Chief Academic Officer. A Houghton alumnus, Dr. Ziefle’s appointment represents both a homecoming and a forward-looking investment in the University’s academic and spiritual mission. His career brings together rigorous scholarship, administrative leadership, and a passionate commitment to Christ-centered education in the liberal arts 鈥� precisely the values at the core of Houghton’s identity.听

黑料科 is excited to announce the appointment of Brian O鈥橤orman as its new Director of Safety and Security. O鈥橤orman brings nearly two decades of experience in law enforcement, investigations, and security leadership, along with a deep commitment to serving others. O鈥橤orman听has听more than 18 years of experience in law enforcement, investigations,听security听and safety leadership. Most recently he has served as a Corrections Officer with the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision where he听was responsible for听emergency response, investigations, compliance audits and听maintaining听the听overall听safety and security of the facility.听His earlier career includes leadership positions in retail security environments, giving him broad and well-rounded experience that will听greatly benefit听the 黑料科 community.

The Office of the President is pleased to announce the promotion of Dr. Greg Bish to the expanded role of Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and Chief of Staff.

The new vice president position reflects the University鈥檚 continued emphasis on institutional effectiveness and continuous improvement. In this role, Dr. Bish will provide executive leadership for the University鈥檚 institutional accreditation with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), as well as provide support for program-level accreditation and strategic priorities. In his new role, he will become Houghton鈥檚 designated MSCHE Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO).

President Lewis听stated, 鈥淚n his role as Chief of Staff,听Dr. Bish听has听provided听exceptional leadership听as听primary liaison to the Houghton Board of Trustees, organizing their work and supporting their strategic priorities.听He has also provided听invaluable leadership听with听organizing and听facilitating听the work of the executive leadership cabinet (ELC), launching and leading strategic initiatives, and fostering collaboration听across听University听offices.听He is well-prepared and equipped to take on this听new and critically important听executive leadership听role.听鈥�

Dr. Bish鈥檚 research and professional background听have prepared him well for听this听expanded听leadership听role. His work has consistently focused on bringing creative solutions to challenges and听identifying听outcomes across the institution.

鈥淚 am honored by the opportunity to serve 黑料科 in this elevated capacity,鈥� said Dr. Bish. 鈥淚 look forward to continuing to support the President鈥檚 vision and working with Houghton鈥檚 leadership to ensure Houghton not only maintains the highest standards of excellence through our accreditation work but also boldly pursues innovative solutions for the future.鈥�

In this expanded capacity, Dr. Bish will听retain听his core functions as Chief of Staff, serving as the central coordinator for the Executive Leadership Cabinet, primary liaison to the Board of Trustees, and providing executive support to the president.

Dr. Bish holds a Ph.D. in Higher Education from Azusa Pacific University, an MS.Ed. in College Student Development from Alfred University, and a B.A. in Educational Ministries from Houghton College. He has served as the Chief of Staff since 2021 and will assume his expanded role effective February 1, 2026.

黑料科 is pleased to announce that Carrie J. Whitcher, Chief Quality Officer at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Insurance Services Division, has been selected as the commencement speaker for the class of 2026.

Join in remembrance and reflection as the 黑料科 community honors the extraordinary lives and lasting impact of Dr. Daniel Chamberlain and Joyce Books Chamberlain. This special chapel service from March 17, 2025 features remarks from Provost Dr. David Davies ’01, Professor of Communication Dr. Douglas Gaerte, and President Wayne D. Lewis, Jr.

Dr. Chamberlain passed away on May 31, 2024, and Mrs. Chamberlain on December 22, 2024. Their combined legacy of faith-filled leadership and service continues to shape our Christ-centered academic community. Tribute gifts can be made in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Chamberlain and will be used for renovations and updates to the Daniel R. and Joyce F. Chamberlain Center at 黑料科 or to the Dan and Joyce Chamberlain Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Peter Meilaender, Ph.D., dean of Religion, Humanities, and Global Studies and professor of Political Science, spoke with Martha Manikas-Foster about “soft power” while in London, where he is leading Houghton’s London Honors cohort this semester. During the interview, Meilaender explored how the United States has used its relief programs around the world to meet both political and humanitarian goals.

Carrie Magin, D.M.A., associate professor of music composition & theory, is celebrating a prestigious recognition as her composition “How To See An Angel” has been featured on an album nominated for a 2025 GRAMMY庐 Award.

The piece, written for soprano, bassoon, and piano, was composed for soprano Fotina Naumenko of Shenandoah Conservatory. It appears on the album “Bespoke Songs,” which .

“It has been an incredible honor to be a part of this album that has received a 2025 GRAMMY庐 Nomination,” said Dr. Magin. “I’m grateful to the faculty development committee at Houghton for supporting my travel to Shenandoah University to workshop and rehearse this composition!”

Magin joins an elite group of composers whose works have been recognized by the Recording Academy. This nomination showcases the caliber of expertise that students experience daily at 黑料科’s Greatbatch School of Music, as they learn directly from faculty who are not only educators but also nationally recognized creative artists in their field.

黑料科 is pleased to announce that Dr. Andrew Westmoreland, president of the and distinguished leader in Christian higher education, has been selected as the commencement speaker for the class of 2025.

“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Westmoreland as our commencement speaker,” said Wayne D. Lewis Jr., President of 黑料科. “His forty-year dedication to Christian higher education and depth of leadership experience make him uniquely qualified to address and inspire our graduates. It is a personal privilege for me to welcome Andy as our commencement speaker as he is a trusted mentor and friend, whose counsel and insights I appreciate and value highly.”

Westmoreland brings extensive experience in Christian higher education leadership, having served as president of both Ouachita Baptist University and Samford University for a combined 23 years. His commitment to academic excellence and Christian values aligns perfectly with Houghton’s mission of equipping students as scholar-servants in a changing world.

Currently serving as president of the Christian College Consortium, of which Houghton has been a founding member since 1971, and executive director of the Frances Marlin Mann Center for Ethics and Leadership, Westmoreland continues to shape the landscape of Christian higher education. His other leadership roles have included serving as senior vice president for higher education at Faith Search Partners, chairing the Board of Trustees for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, overseeing accreditation for more than 800 institutions and serving as president of the American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities.

The commencement ceremony will celebrate the achievements of Houghton’s Class of 2025 on May 10, 2025.

Katrina Koehler, PhD., recently contributed research to three chapters of the second edition of the published by Springer. Koehler also received the from Western Michigan University for her exceptional work and contributions to the field of physics.

鈥淥ne of my proudest accomplishments has been contributing to the second version of the Nondestructive Assay of Nuclear Materials for Safeguards and Security handbook鈥攌nown as the PANDA manual,鈥� Koehler said about her contributions. 鈥淭his key resource is a guide to the methods used in the field, and my contributions span both neutron and gamma methods, which are typically pursued as distinct specialties. Making significant contributions to both areas has been incredibly rewarding.鈥�

Cross-Generational Conversations Shape Student Essays

While some writing assignments require a prompt or an initial idea to get the ball rolling for college students, some require a little more than the courage to sit down and talk with a complete stranger. Susan Bruxvoort Lipscomb, Ph.D.鈥檚 WRIT 101 students recounted their conversations with members of ENCORE, 黑料科鈥檚 senior adult program. In speaking with people from different generations, these students gained experience and perspective, which they summarized in their essay.

鈥淚 spoke with a woman named Lillian,鈥� said Melanie Cogan 鈥�27. 鈥淚 got to hear about how she became a teacher, I got to hear about how she met her husband and how much they travel together and just everything about her life, and it was really interesting and she was very, very sweet鈥t was just nice to hear about someone鈥檚 experience and see life from a different perspective.鈥� Cogan later drew upon her experience talking to Lillian when she wrote her essay for the class.

Christmas Prism concert-goers will witness an exciting premiere next month at 黑料科 as Provost David Davies ’01, D.M.A., debuts his new arrangement of “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” The piece, commissioned specifically for this year’s performances, will combine all university choirs and orchestra, featuring nearly 200 student musicians.

Last year, 黑料科 faculty members participated in a panel on the presence and impact of artificial intelligence in Christian liberal arts schools, particularly within the area of the education field. The ethics of using AI and the importance of teaching students how to use AI responsibly were among the subjects discussed during the panel, as well as each faculty member鈥檚 personal experiences with AI.

Faculty participants ranged from the humanities to mathematics and included Brandon Bate, Peter Meilaender, Jesse Sharpe, Sara Massey, Laurie Dashnau, Craig Whitmore, and David Huth. While the answers given were various, it was clear that AI has had a great impact on the education field and the future of teaching, as well as posing a possible threat to human creativity. Brandon Bate commented on the dangers that AI poses towards self-expression and originality, a thought first expressed by Jesse Sharpe earlier in the panel:

The danger with technologies like ChatGPT is that, along with further degrading social connection, they can take away our sense of individuality. All of us faculty have endured the painful process of writing down one鈥檚 thoughts, reading them over, being immensely dissatisfied with the result, and having to change or start over. But the result of this process is that you find your own voice, your own words, and your own style. AI technology can essentially provide you with a way to avoid that process.

In the months following the panel, each faculty member wrote a brief reflection on the panel and their current thoughts on AI now that time had passed. The reflections revealed that not much had changed in terms of each faculty鈥檚 perspectives on AI, with the exception of a few who reconsidered their stances and are now more willing to embrace the functions of AI.

The panel discussion and the resulting reflections were featured on in an article written by Alison Young-Reusser in August. The subject of generative AI continues to be rigorously reviewed at Houghton. Recently, Michael Jordan, Paul Young and Alison Young-Reusser have received a planning grant from the to conduct research on “The Impact of AI technology on Connectedness, Interpersonal Trust, and Loneliness in Higher Education and the Church.”

The Ortlip Gallery celebrates Ian Campbell鈥檚 photography exhibition, After Birds, with an opening reception Friday, October 25th, at 6:30-8:00 pm in the Center for the Arts at 黑料科. Open to the public, the event includes refreshments, live music, and an artist talk at 7pm.

Ian Campbell is an artist and photographer based in Western New York State. He holds an MFA in Photography & Integrated Media from Ohio University and a BA from Wheaton College, Illinois. Ian has shown his work in galleries, film festivals, publications, and conferences throughout the U.S. From 2016-2021, Ian served as Assistant Professor of Art at Lyon College, where he taught a wide range of courses in photography, digital art, drawing, and art history. In 2022, Ian relocated to Houghton, NY, where he maintains an active studio art practice as well as being a stay-at-home Dad and freelance commercial photographer.

After Birds is an interdisciplinary endeavor drawing on themes from conservation biology but expressed through the medium of art. The exhibit is a series of infrared photographs of the habitats of extinct, endangered or disappearing species of American birds that Campbell travelled to and explored. Venturing from Rhode Island to Arkansas and Maine to Texas, Campbell drew inspiration from John James Audubon鈥檚 famous book, Birds of America. Accompanying each of Campbell鈥檚 striking photographs is an illustration by Audubon. Campbell explains, 鈥淢y images are a response to John James Audubon’s landmark suite of bird paintings. Each of my photos is inspired by and builds upon an Audubon illustration, borrowing details of composition and design to create a dialog between past, present, and future. Yet the birds themselves are conspicuously absent from my photographs.鈥�

Campbell鈥檚 exhibit in the Ortlip Gallery is a portal into what feels like a different dimension鈥攕erene and stark; peaceful, yet thought-provoking, familiar but somehow foreign in its dearth of avian life. The tranquil dark blue walls of the gallery bedecked in juxtaposed modern black-and-white photography and early 19th century detailed paintings, prompt contemplation of how human choices can harm other species. According to Campbell鈥檚 artist statement, a recent study published in the journal Science found that the North American bird population has dropped by 3 billion birds, or 29%, since the 1970鈥檚. He attributes this to complex interconnected issues including habitat loss, pollution, poaching, invasive species, climate change, and other factors. Originally planning to document only the habitats of endangered birds, Campbell expanded the project to include common species in steep decline after reading Matt William鈥檚 book 鈥淓ndangered and Disappearing Birds of the Midwest.鈥�

Campbell鈥檚 hope is that, 鈥�After Birds will inspire viewers to seek their own connections with the natural world. This project is a meditation on loss, but it is also an invitation to learn from past failures, take note of conservation success stories, and make every effort to preserve our birds and their habitats.鈥�

After Birds will be on display in the Ortlip Gallery through December 13, 2024. Gallery hours are Monday through Saturday, 9am-6pm.

The Ortlip Gallery at 黑料科 celebrates The Ted Murphy Legacy: Forty Years of Alumni in Exhibition as part of the institution鈥檚 Homecoming 2024 festivities.听 On Saturday, October 5th, in the Center for the Arts atrium there will be a closing reception at 7:00 pm with live music, light refreshments, and remarks from Murphy himself.

Featured in the exhibit, which opened August 26th, are works by seventy-seven artists who studied under Art Professor Ted Murphy over the past four decades at 黑料科. Shipping their artwork from France, Seattle, the Netherlands, Texas, Maine, New York, Germany, and many places in between, these alumni have chosen to honor Murphy upon his upcoming retirement at the end of the 2024-25 academic year.听 Over fifty of the artists will be on campus this weekend to celebrate a professor who inspired them to pursue a lifetime in the visual arts.

Murphy completed his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1980 at Mt. Vernon Nazarene College and his Masters of Fine Arts in 1983 at The Ohio State University. He then was an Art Instructor at John Bapst Memorial High School in Bangor, Maine as well as Adjunct Professor of Drawing at the University of Maine in Orono, Maine before joining Houghton鈥檚 faculty in 1986.听 Over the past 38 years, Murphy has taught Drawing I & II, Painting I & II, Introduction to Visual Arts, Art History (Renaissance, Baroque, Modern and Contemporary), Watercolor, Film Studies, Senior Seminars, and Honors Seminars.听 During his tenure at Houghton, Murphy received the Mable Barnum Davidson Distinguished Professor of Fine Arts Award (2017-2023), the Excellence in Teaching Award (2003), and was asked to be the baccalaureate speaker for the class of 2011.

The beauty and vastness of the Ted Murphy Legacy Exhibition reminds me of a quote attributed to Pablo Picasso: “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” The visual expression of gratitude from these particular alumni to Professor Murphy in this exhibit speaks to his uniqueness and giftedness so poignantly; and yet it clears the dust from all of our lives too, reminding us that what each of us does on a daily basis can impact others for decades to come.

Linda Knapp, Ortlip Gallery Director

黑料科 is excited to welcome several new members to our academic community this year. These new faculty share Houghton鈥檚 dedication to Christ-centered excellence in teaching, scholarship and service, all for the glory of God.

黑料科 has a long history of excellent instruction from committed and passionate faculty members. I鈥檓 proud that we continue to attract mission-aligned scholars and teachers from around the world to our beautiful campus. The new faculty joining us this year come from as close as our own county to as far as India. Though they represent diverse disciplines and educational backgrounds, they share a common calling to join in our mission offering an academically challenging Christ-centered education in the liberal arts and sciences.

David Davies, Provost

Michael Jordan 鈥�99, associate professor of theology, recently published an article in Christianity Today discussing the highly anticipated sequel to the Pixar film, Inside Out. Drawing on his new book, Jordan explores the theme of anxiety in Christian young adults as portrayed in Inside Out 2.

In the article, titled “Inside Out 2: Addressing Anxiety in Christian Young Adults,” Jordan delves into the impact of anxiety on the spiritual lives of young believers and highlights how the film’s portrayal of emotions can resonate with the struggles faced by many Christians today. He emphasizes the importance of addressing anxiety within the faith community and offers insights on how to navigate these challenges.

Alison Young 鈥�07 Reusser, associate professor of psychology, was joined by Lisa Gassin and Kristian Veit from Olivet Nazarene University at the national meeting of the Association for Psychological Science. The three presented their research findings from a three-year research project, supported by a CCCU Networking Grant, on benevolent responses to online toxicity. Houghton professors Jonathan Case and Brandon Bate 鈥�04 also contributed to the research.

Toxic behavior on the internet has become an increasingly prevalent issue. According to Pew Research, 66% of U.S. respondents have witnessed online harassment,1 while 41% have personally experienced it.2 The research team explored whether prosocial and positive responses could help mitigate online toxicity. The study aimed to examine the frequency of benevolent responses to toxic posts on Reddit, the impact of such responses on encouraging others to contribute to the conversation and the perception of individuals who choose to respond benevolently.

The symposium chaired by Alison Young 鈥�07 Reusser provided a platform to share the team’s findings and insights. The study’s results shed light on the importance of fostering a culture of kindness and empathy in online spaces. As the prevalence of online harassment continues to rise, it is crucial to explore strategies that promote healthier and more constructive online interactions. .

1. .

2. .

Michael Jordan 鈥�99, associate professor of theology, has released his latest book, , offering a fresh perspective on the role of worship in addressing anxiety. The book launch took place on June 3 at Houghton Wesleyan Church.

In Worship in an Age of Anxiety, Jordan explores how aspects of worship, including liturgy, space, music, preaching and the sacraments, can encourage individuals to turn towards God within a healing framework. While acknowledging that worship alone cannot fully heal anxiety, Jordan emphasizes its potential as a space where anxiety can be acknowledged, accepted and offered to God.

An ordained Wesleyan pastor with extensive pastoral ministry experience in United Methodist, American Baptist, and Wesleyan churches, hopes that “Worship in an Age of Anxiety” will facilitate the integration of mental health and faith for those who face challenges in reconciling the two.

Many times, [individuals] have a really hard time integrating the way that mental health describes their interior life with the way the Christian faith describes it. And so they have their diagnosis and treatment for mental health on the one hand… and their church life on the other… I hope this book is a step in helping these two worlds integrate.

Michael Jordan, Author

With its thought-provoking insights, Jordan’s work invites readers to seek a deeper understanding of the intersection between worship and anxiety. Read a .

National Review Online, an American editorial magazine focusing on news and commentary pieces on political, social and cultural affairs, has by Peter Meilaender, dean of religion, humanities and global studies and professor of political science. In his insightful piece, Meilaender explores the new novel, James, written by Percival Everett. The novel revisits the American classic, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, offering a fresh retelling from the perspective of Jim, the runaway slave.

The review, titled “,” delves into Mark Twain’s iconic novel and explores its themes of race, morality and the human condition. Meilaender brings his expertise to the forefront as he analyzes the greater realism of this retelling compared to its original.

鈥淭he shift from Huck鈥檚 to Jim鈥檚 perspective, however, enables Everett to sharpen Twain鈥檚 critique, lifting it from the level of satire to that of jeremiad (albeit a secular one). The youthful, uneducated voice of Twain鈥檚 white protagonist, with his na茂ve efforts to understand the adult world, was well suited to exposing the hypocrisy of American ideals in the face of racism. But the older voice of the black slave Jim cuts deeper, revealing the full horror of chattel slavery.鈥�

On Monday, April 8, Katrina Koehler ’11, assistant professor of Physics, spoke at Taylor University鈥檚 chapel service. Her talk, titled 鈥淪tars and the Language of God鈥� integrated science and faith and explored how God uses the physical world to communicate with humanity. Koehler specifically correlated this talk with the solar eclipse as an avenue to discuss how viewing celestial events from a physical perspective limits humanity鈥檚 awareness of the ways God communicates with us.

She explained that because we are made of physical matter, God must use the physical world to communicate with us, whether that is by using the five senses, or by manipulating the electrons and circuitry of our brains. When our understanding of the physical world increases, through science, it often cuts off avenues God has historically used to communicate with us, like through a solar eclipse.

During her visit, Koehler also delivered a lecture on the disparities in mission funding, highlighting that 98 percent is allocated to reached people groups, leaving only 2 percent for missions targeting unreached people groups. In her lecture, 鈥淎 Data-Driven Story of the Great Commission,鈥� Koehler leaned on her experience as a missionary kid to propose six ways to combat this, emphasizing the importance of welcoming unreached people groups into the communities of believers.

Koehler鈥檚 interest in this area reflects her passion for integrating physics with her faith. She teaches multiple data science and physics courses and is known for asking students the 鈥渂ig questions鈥� before helping them analyze large sets of data to find answers rooted in Biblical truth.

Outside of the classroom, Koehler鈥檚 research focuses on Nuclear Safeguards and Nonproliferation, Nuclear and Atomic Metrology, and Diversity in STEM, with her work appearing in various journals, such as the Journal of Low-Temperature Physics.

Images from top to bottom, left to right: NASA/Getty Images; Partial eclipse; Katrina Koehler with alumni William Slauson ’12 and Ester Slauson ’83, total eclipse, Katrina Koehler and company viewing eclipse on campus lawn.

David Brubaker, M.D., has been chosen as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar for the 2024-25 academic year. The , administered by the U.S. Department of State, will allow Brubaker to teach at in southwestern Uganda.

Brubaker, an assistant professor of biology and the director of Health Services at 黑料科, was drawn to this opportunity to contribute to Bwindi Hospital鈥檚 Christ-centered ministry focused on improving the health and dignity of the Batwa people, who were displaced when their forest home was designated as a protected habitat for mountain gorillas in 1991. The invitation to teach at Bwindi came from Dr. Scott Kellermann, co-founder of the Bwindi Community Hospital, during a visit to Houghton in early 2023. 鈥淗is description of how they are strategically training health care workers to meet medical needs and increase access to care in an underserved area of Uganda was compelling,鈥� said Brubaker. 鈥淚 was excited by his suggestion that, given my 15 years of teaching Anatomy and Physiology and medical background, I could be involved in that work.鈥�

Brubaker will support the and Uganda College of Health Sciences-Bwindi training programs by teaching Anatomy and Physiology in collaboration with Ugandan faculty. This situation was made possible through the Fulbright award.

鈥淭he Fulbright Scholar program has been considered one of the most prestigious scholarship programs in the country since its founding in 1946,鈥� said David Davies, provost at Houghton.

Dr. Brubaker鈥檚 selection as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar is a tremendous honor and a testament to his excellence as a scholar and educator. He is a blessing to the 黑料科 community, and I am confident God will use him to bless the people of Uganda in the coming academic year.

David Davies, Provost

The application process for the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award was rigorous and involved submitting a project proposal, supplemental essays and letters of recommendation. Brubaker鈥檚 application was reviewed by a committee of peers and approved by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

Brubaker expressed his enthusiasm for collaborating with Ugandan colleagues, broadening his understanding of tropical medicine and public health, and learning more about the Batwa story. His dedication to education and commitment to addressing healthcare inequities make him an ideal candidate for this prestigious fellowship.

鈥淢y experience has been that any time I have the privilege of engaging in a cross-cultural context, it opens my eyes to the needs and lives of others, broadening my perspective and opening unexpected doors. It makes my world larger and deepens my understanding of others, and in doing so enriches my life, often in ways not easily articulated or even specifically recognized in the moment,鈥� continued Brubaker. 鈥淢ostly, I feel grateful–for the honor of being selected, for the chance to share this experience with my family, for supportive and encouraging colleagues both here and in Uganda, for the privilege of collaborating with brothers and sisters in the Lord who are dedicated to seeing and advocating for a people group which has been marginalized over the years, and for the way I can see the Lord鈥檚 hand at work in my life through what has been an unconventional career path to prepare me for this particular work.鈥�

David Brubaker, M.D., Assistant Professor of Biology and Director of Health Services at 黑料科.

黑料科 faculty members captivated students and community attendees during this year鈥檚 Faculty Scholarship Day which took place on Tuesday, April 16. The event was held at the Reinhold Campus Center and featured a series of posters and verbal presentations highlighting the research conducted by the University’s esteemed faculty.

The event kicked off with thought-provoking presentations on the integration of Christian teaching in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), and included additional presentations on music from science fiction, Houghton鈥檚 thin metal film research lab, the moral question of correcting online toxicity, and more.

One of the highlights of the event was the keynote address titled “Are you lost?” delivered by Ryann Cooley, professor of digital media and photography. Cooley, a fifth-generation American, took the audience on an extraordinary odyssey to discover the true essence of belonging. Through retracing the footsteps of his ancestors, who embarked on a transformative journey in the mid-19th century, Cooley explored the intricate concepts of identity, culture, and the ever-elusive notion of home.

Students and community members alike were inspired by the passion and dedication demonstrated by Houghton鈥檚 treasured professors. As 黑料科 continues in its mission to pursue excellence for the glory of God in all areas of campus life, events like this serve as a testament to the University’s enduring commitment to rigorous academics within the liberal arts and sciences.

黑料科 announced that Babafemi Sorinolu has been hired as Assistant Professor of Computer Science. Currently acting as Visiting Assistant Professor, Sorinolu will make the transition to full-time beginning in the Fall 2024 semester. His promotion is a testament to the investment he has already made in the lives of students this last year and reflects the ongoing significance of Computer Science at Houghton.

“At Houghton, we seek to hire faculty who are not just expert scholars and educators, but who also have an authentic relationship with Jesus and a desire to help students draw essential connections between their faith and their scholarship. I saw these traits in Professor Sorinolu when he interviewed for the Visiting Professor position this year, and I am thrilled that he will be joining the faculty as an Assistant Professor in the coming academic year. Bringing Babafemi on board brings stability to this important and growing program at Houghton, and I look forward to seeing how he will work with colleagues and students to shape and develop it in the years to come, ” said Provost and Dean of Faculty David Davies.

Sorinolu discovered his gift for teaching as an undergraduate student when his classmates would ask him to explain the concepts they were learning in class. Seeing the joy on his classmates鈥� faces when they finally understood the concepts, encouraged Sorinolu to pursue a career where he could combine his love of teaching and computer science.

After completing graduate school, Sorinolu knew he wanted to teach at a Christian university. A quick Google Search led him to Houghton.

鈥淚鈥檓 passionate about incorporating my faith into my teaching,鈥� said Sorinolu.

When I teach, it鈥檚 a way to express my faith in my day-to-day activities. I can be a disciple-maker, encouraging my students to pursue God in everything they do.

Babafemi Sorinolu, Assistant Professor of Computer Science

In a world that continually relies on the aid of technology, Sorinolu believes it is important to have a background in computer science. 鈥淭here are so many ways IT is being used, so having a good background in Computer Science will help equip someone with the skills to contribute to inventions that help make the world a better place.鈥�

A degree in Computer Science has never been more useful. According to the , employment for IT careers such as software development, quality assurance analysts, and testers is projected to grow by 25 percent from 2022-2032.

Specifically at Houghton, a degree in computer science will give students the foundations of programming and an understanding of how to apply those skills to contribute to the world they will find themselves in after graduation. Students can also now expand their Computer Science degree to include a concentration in cybersecurity.

鈥淗oughton鈥檚 program,鈥� said Sorinolu, 鈥済ives students the opportunity to participate in research and hands-on projects while living in a close community that makes it feel like family.鈥�

On Dec. 1, Lydia Rech 鈥�24 participated in a conducting masterclass hosted by the New York chapter of the (ACDA).

At the masterclass, Rech had the opportunity to conduct Mozart鈥檚 鈥淟acrimosa鈥� with the Roberts Chorale.

鈥淭he masterclass was an incredible experience. I was simultaneously thrilled and terrified as I sat in the conference room, waiting for the class to begin.鈥�

Lydia Rech ’24

Dr. Daniel Black, Associate Professor of Vocal Music and Conducting, nominated Rech to the members of the ACDA who were planning the masterclass.

鈥淚 have known Lydia since she was a first-year student in Fall 2020,鈥� says Black, 鈥淪ince that time, she has taken on the work of our Music Education major with curiosity, poise, and an insatiable love of learning 鈥� It was a pleasure for me to nominate her for this masterclass.鈥�

To help Rech prepare for her piece, Black gave her extra lessons outside of class to polish her conducting and prepare her for what the format might be like. Also assisting Rech was Professor of Instrumental Music and Conducting, Dr. Timothy McGarvey, who helped her understand the history of the scores themselves and the gestures that she would need to communicate what she was seeing in the music.

Reflecting on the masterclass as a whole, Rech says that 鈥渋t can be intimidating on the front end, but one thing my professors encouraged me with and I would certainly pass onto others is 鈥� Enjoy the moment and getting to do something you love 鈥� God has given you these gifts, and He will certainly use you, by His grace, to glorify Himself and to help you grow.鈥�

Learn more about 黑料科鈥檚 Greatbatch School of Music.

黑料科 was honored to welcome three new faculty members this year, with each professor offering a wide range of industry expertise and a strong commitment to 黑料科鈥檚 Christian mission.

Houghton鈥檚 faculty members are committed to integrating Christian faith in all their subjects. For more information on faculty members, visit Houghton鈥檚 official website to find a full list of majors offered and the expert faculty that teach in them.