My Story

How It All Began

Out of a decidedly business family, I launched my own unexpected trajectory: “You’re going to get a Ph.D. in what?” my puzzled father asked. I ended up absorbed in the love of great books, stories, poetry, the beauty of language, the intricacies of evolving culture. For seventeen years I was a professor of literature at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. I loved teaching. I loved my students. I loved this university. This was a rich and full season for Sharon and me, the place where our three boys grew and thrived.  

From there a twisting journey took me back to Phoenix for a sojourn in business. After an Interim Presidency at Whitworth, I was invited to become the Ninth President of Seattle Pacific University. For close to twenty years, my love for literature and language, my deep fascination with the intellectual life, my passion for education, my commitment to building grace-filled community, and most of all, my deep desire to place Jesus Christ at the center of our work—it all seemed to coalesce around this call to serve Seattle Pacific.

Where It Happened

During my tenure at Seattle Pacific, I tried to lead with a vision to engage the culture and change the world. We believed that education, grounded in the Gospel, had the best chance of making the world a better place for all God’s children. We believed neither Christians nor educators should ever become separatists. We must step up to the table, be in the mix. An engaged Christian is what I have always tried to be.

Sharon and I seem more in love than ever. We have three amazing sons, all married to wonderful women, and seven lively grandchildren. I am the author of two books: Engaging The Culture, Changing The World: The Christian University In A Post-Christian World and Sing Us A Song Of Joy: Saying What We Believe In An Age Of Unbelief. I have also shared my reflections through my blog for almost two decades. I am a writer, teacher, reader, sometimes consultant and mentor, leader. Of course, I seek to be a better husband, father, grandfather, and loyal friend.

Can I Make A Difference?

My big hope is to bring some small measure of God’s joy into the lives of others and into the world. Can I make a difference? I don’t know for sure, but that’s what gets me up every morning, ready to go to work for a new day.