The King's Connection Magazine Volume 21 Number 3//Fall 2011 | Page 2

PresideNt’s MessaGe Faculty heartbeat I n the academic world it is widely accepted that the faculty is the heart of a university. The quality and commitment of the faculty significantly shapes students’ educational experience as well as the profile and reputation of the institution. How is The King’s University College doing in this regard? pursue their vocations as followers of Christ. In fact, in recent years this same vision motivated several new faculty members to leave established posts at mainstream universities and to join the ranks of the King’s faculty in the high adventure of integral Christian higher education. These pages of Connection also tell a great story of blessing with regard to our younger faculty. Less than two years ago, King’s considered shutting down its Computing Science program because of low enrolment and faculty turnover. Not only has enrolment improved, but three new energetic and committed faculty members have breathed new life into the program. We stand in awe of the way God has led us in this process. This issue of Connection Dr. Harry Fernhout - President sheds light on this question from various angles. Looking at it in terms of some our “senior” faculty, we see both remarkable commitment and significant accomplishments. A couple of years ago Peter Mahaffy, professor of Chemistry, was the first faculty member of a Christian university in Canada to receive a 3M National Teaching Award. This year Peter’s outstanding work was recognized again with the James Flack Norris Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Teaching of Chemistry. He is only the second Canadian to receive this award. In these pages you can also read about a substantial grant awarded to Peter and Brian Martin (Math/Physics and Astronomy) from the National Science Foundation, USA, for their work in “visualizing the chemistry of climate change.” This highly competitive international grant recognizes the creativity and quality of research at King’s, much of it carried out by our students. I have no doubt that long-time King’s professors, like Peter, could easily have moved on to fashion very successful careers (with considerably more pay!) at mainstream universities. But these faculty members have stayed, motivated by King’s compelling vision to explore the wonders of creation, and to inspire and equip a new generation of learners to When I arrived at King’s in 2005, one of King’s prominent institutional concerns was the challenge of finding new faculty members– Christians who are not only experts in their chosen field, but who have a passion for profess-ing; that is, people who in a lively and winsome way profess what their faith means in their teaching, research and community service. Another significant institutional concern had to do with faculty leadership; who would take up the mantle of leadership and carry the vision forward when the older generation of faculty retired? Today I don’t hear these concerns nearly as often. In the past five years, in one search process after another, King’s has been blessed with capable candidates who are excited about our mission. Twenty faculty members, some just starting their academic career and others who are in mid-career, have joined our team. And the capacity for leadership is clearly evident among our newer faculty; we know where visionary leadership will come from. What King’s has experienced in this regard is not just a blessing; it’s an everyday miracle. The faculty is indeed the heart of a university. And at King’s that heart is beating to the rhythm of our mission “to provide university education that inspires and equips learners to bring renewal and reconciliation to every walk of life as followers of Jesus Christ, the Servant-King.” THE KING’S The King’s Connection Magazine is published three times each year for Alumni and Friends of The King’s University College. 9125 - 50th Street Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6B 2H3 780.465.3500 1.800.661.8582 Fax: [phone] /// The King’s Connection /// Fall 2011 Please send any address changes to: Please send alumni updates and address changes to: Direct comments regarding articles to: Development 9125 - 50 Street Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6B 2H3 or call: 780.465.8314 Toll Free: 800.661.8582 Opt#4 [email protected] Alumni Relations 9125 - 50 Street Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6B 2H3 or call: 780.465.8314 [email protected] Marketing Manager Vanessa Christensen 780.465.3500 ext: 8017 [email protected]