Dr. Gordon Richards Transitions to Computer Science Faculty - Geneva College
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Dr. Gordon Richards Transitions to Computer Science Faculty

Picture of Dr. Gordon Richards Transitions to Computer Science Faculty

(BEAVER FALLS, Pa.) -- The Computer Science Department is getting a new faculty member, but he’s not new to Geneva College. Dr. Gordon Richards spent the last four years as the Chair of the Business Department, however, after this year’s fall semester, he will be stepping down to assume a new role as the Director of Computer Science, a program within the Engineering and Computer Science Program headed by Dr. James Gidley, Chair of the Engineering and Computer Science department.

Dr. Gordon RichardsDr. Richards, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel with 28 years of service in training and cyber operations, has been a part of the Geneva College family teaching a bevy of business classes, as well as a few computer science classes. He plans to bring the passion that’s been evident in his work with business to the computer science department. Although this move may surprise some, his higher education experience consists of earning bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees in computer and information systems from Park College, Webster University and Robert Morris University, respectively. This background speaks to his qualifications for his new role at Geneva.

In explanation of this move to the Computer Science program, Dr. Richards relates that the department had lost some faculty members, and he was glad to make the transition to fill the need. He expects the transition will go smoothly and thinks the Computer Science program will be as strong as ever.


"I love to build relationships with my students. I like to watch the transformation that occurs over four years. I like to see where they go and the successes that they experience and how they grow in their relationships with God through the time they are here." -Dr. Gordon Richards

Dr. Richards talks about the transferability of ideas he implemented in business that might be applied to his new program.  “One of the exciting things that we just established is the 3+1 Bachelor of Science Business Administration and Masters of Business Administration. In four years a student can complete a BSBA and a MBA,” he says. “One of my first goals in Computer Science is to introduce a similar program where students will come here and in four years leave with a bachelors in Computer Science and a masters in Cyber Security.”

Loving to teach, build relationships, and watch students grow – in Christ and professionally – is one of the blessings Dr. Richards appreciates about being a member of the faculty at Geneva. Dr. Richards remains committed to the ultimate goal that is paramount to the success of all students. He says, “I want to equip students to serve God and neighbor through the practice of Computer Science.”

Wherever Dr. Richards is working with his students, whether in Northwood Hall teaching a business class or in S&E instructing Computer Science classes, he enjoys seeing students take their new knowledge and their faith in God out into the workplace and into their future families. “That is why I am here,” he concludes.

Geneva College is a Christ-centered academic community that provides a comprehensive education to equip students for faithful and fruitful service to God and neighbor. Offering over 40 traditional undergraduate majors and programs, Adult Degree Programs with fully online and classroom options, and high-demand graduate degrees, Geneva's programs are recognized for their high quality. U.S. News & World Report ranks Geneva as a Top Five Best Value with one of the Top 100 engineering programs in the nation. Adhering to the truth of Scripture, a Geneva education is grounded in God’s Word as well as in a core curriculum designed to prepare students vocationally to think, write and communicate well in today’s world.

Oct 21, 2016