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Familiar professors address the class of 2008
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Jay Neikirk |

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Dean Smith | This fall, two senior students came into Academic Dean Dave Guthrie’s office with an idea about undergraduate commencement. “We think it can be made better if the commencement speaker is someone we know—someone from the faculty of Geneva College,” they told him.
Guthrie agreed and told them to talk to some other leaders among the senior class to decide who they would like to speak. A week later, they returned with their choice.
Dr. Frederick “Jay” Neikirk is a professor of political science and chair of the Department of History, Political Science and Sociology at Geneva. From chemical engineering to elementary education majors, every student is required to take Neikirk’s Great Issues in Politics class, the culminating course in Geneva’s core curriculum.
“Expecting the most from his students, Dr. Neikirk has pushed us to examine what we believe and why we believe it,” said graduating senior Noah Finley. “More than stretch us academically, he has encouraged us to explore the claims of Christ for our studies and to seek to submit our beliefs to the teachings of Scripture.”
In an address entitled "Stand Firm," Neikirk challenged graduates to face society's problems with the honesty and confidence that comes from knowing the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. “A large part of the reason for what we do here at Geneva College…is so that you are given the opportunity to respond to the challenges of a fallen world not by being conformed, but by being transformed and transformational.” He concluded by charging students with an adaption of Philippians 4:1: "Therefore, our beloved students, now graduates, our joy and our crown, stand firm in the Lord."
Students also heard from a familiar faculty member at this year’s Baccalaureate service. Dr. Dean Smith is a professor of biblical studies, chair of the Department of Biblical Studies and Philosophy, and also serves as Geneva’s chapel coordinator.
Smith urged students to live out Jesus’ prayer in John 17:5 (“My prayer is not that you would take them out of the world but that you would protect them from the evil one”). He encouraged them to live a balanced life, with one foot clearly in the Kingdom of God and one foot in the world, seeking to transform society for the Kingdom of Christ.
“As students were challenged with the claims of Christ as they came in, we want to challenge them as they go out,” Smith said.
Geneva announces semester-long program in Rome
Beginning in the fall of 2009, Geneva students will have the option to take the bulk of their core humanities courses in Rome. With the city and much of Italy as its classroom, the program gives students the ability to experience, as well as study, the foundations of Christianity, art, literature, architecture, philosophy and music.
“Italy is especially vital to understanding the culture of the West,” says Dr. Jeffrey Cole, associate professor of history and director of the Rome program, “and for a long time, Rome was the center of the Western world.”
According to Geneva’s Director of International Student Services Ann Burkhead, more and more students are entering college expecting to spend at least one semester abroad. “Some institutions are actually requiring students to study abroad or have some kind of cross-cultural engagement before they graduate.”
“I firmly believe that off-campus opportunities can open the world to students,” Cole says. “Having our own campus in Rome is a big step for Geneva. It is an exciting way for the college to extend its rich tradition in the humanities.”
Until now, Geneva’s only semester-long study-abroad programs have operated in conjunction with other institutions. Geneva is now the only member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) with a semester-long program in Rome.
The core course Western Humanities in the Italian Context (HUM 300, nine credits) will be taught by a Geneva faculty member who will live full time in Rome. Students will also take a three-credit Italian language and culture class from an Italian professor. Residence life will be overseen by a Geneva residence director.
Living in a villa near Rome’s major historical and cultural sites, students will also have easy access to the main train station for field trips and independent travel throughout Italy.
“We trust that the Rome program will provide an unforgettable learning experience for Geneva College students,” Cole says. “Engaging history, the arts, literature, church history and philosophy in the Italian setting will help the humanities come alive for students in unique ways.”
For more information, visit www.geneva.edu or contact Rome program director Dr. Jeffrey Cole at jscole@geneva.edu.
...PRAY FOR EACH OTHER...
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. - James 5:16
- Many students, families, faculty, staff and alumni will be traveling this summer. Pray for their safety and give thanks for those who have already returned.
- Pray for new students as they make important decisions and prepare to attend Geneva in the fall.
- Geneva will be welcoming a number of new faculty and staff this summer. Give thanks for these new members of the campus community, and pray for them as they transition into their new positions.
- As Beyond the Bend construction continues, pray for God’s guidance, blessing and protection.
Let us know how can we can pray for you
The marketing and institutional advancement offices pray every week for students, faculty, alumni and friends of the college, and other prayer meetings also take place regularly on campus.
Click here to send us your prayer requests. |
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