Institutional News

New Beginnings
After 19 years as president, Jud Carlberg has announced his retirement effective June 30, 2011. Look for more about the substantial growth of the College during the Carlberg years, and about the contributions of both Jud and Jan, in the Spring 2011 STILLPOINT.

11,495 Hours of Community Service
The Office of Community Engagement (OCE) has just turned one! Established to form an umbrella structure for the various service and justice work done by students, faculty and staff, OCE’s goal is to create, coordinate and support programs of service-learning and community outreach. Campus groups work within mutually beneficial community-based partnerships, the majority of which are based in Lynn, with others across the North Shore and Greater Boston area.

The office includes Outreach Teams (student-led voluntary teams); Gordon in Lynn (weekly academically based service learning, primarily through the freshman Great Conversation service-learning classes as well as some upper-level classes in Lynn); and College Bound (an educational/enrichment program for children in preK–7, which Gordon students run in partnership with Lynn Housing Authority). In addition, OCE promotes advocacy and awareness efforts on campus by students, faculty and staff.

“I love my job,” says Val Buchanan, director of the Office of Community Engagement and Gordon IN Lynn. “Every day I spend time planning creative ways to connect Gordon and our North Shore neighbors to bless our area and help our students learn. This year alone over 500 students spent 11,495 hours serving the community. This kind of student involvement off campus provides incredible opportunities for our students to grow and is beneficial to various nonprofits and after-school programs all around the area.”

Celebrating 50 Years of Science at Gordon
It has been 50 years since the first science program was introduced at Gordon College. During this 2010–2011 anniversary year, the Science Division is celebrating its past while also looking to the future. 

Science activities will be planned throughout the academic year, starting with a science carnival at Homecoming on October 9 and ending with a science banquet on June 25. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more information.

If you have something you want to share about your science experience at Gordon (related to academics, faculty or classmates) or science-related work after Gordon, we’d love to hear about it.
[email protected]

Salzburg Institute Connection
Salzburg, Austria: the city where Mozart was born, where The Sound of Music was filmed and where one of Europe’s most prestigious theatre and music festivals is held each year. Also home to historic monasteries and churches, Salzburg symbolizes the intersection of religious influence with artistic excellence, making it the ideal setting for Gordon College’s newest interdisciplinary program for cultural engagement.

The Salzburg Institute of Gordon College Summer School, which coincides with the famous Salzburg Festival, launches its inaugural courses July 8–August 12, 2011. Open to Christian college students from across the U.S., the Salzburg Institute Summer School is designed for undergraduates interested in music, visual arts, history, literature, German, philosophy, theatre, communication arts, and biblical studies. Students can earn up to eight undergraduate credits while participating in guided excursions throughout Salzburg as well as Vienna.

“Salzburg is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe and one of the most significant cultural centers in the world,” said Gregor Thuswaldner, associate professor of German and linguistics at Gordon and codirector of The Salzburg Institute. “It made sense to combine a quality academic program in the context of this renowned setting.”

Located near the center of Salzburg, the summer program features quality housing, exceptional faculty, artists-in-residence and cross-cultural opportunities for scholarship and interaction. The purpose of The Salzburg Institute of Gordon College is to examine how the study of artistic and cultural expressions and their intersections with Christian intellectual thought relate to contemporary issues.

“The works of many great artists and musicians in Europe have shaped both the Church and Western culture,” said Thomas Brooks, professor of music at Gordon and codirector of The Salzburg Institute. “We wanted to make these traditions accessible to American students while also hosting influential intellectuals, artists and musicians. This is an exciting academic opportunity for students to engage in the culture and broaden their understanding of the Christian faith.” Learn more...

Gordon Alum to Serve with Ravi Zacharias International Ministries
After 25 years of faithful service at Gordon College, Bob Grinnell ’81, former vice president for development, has been appointed by Ravi Zacharias International Ministries to be vice president for development in North America, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.

While it’s hard to see him go, this new appointment is exciting on many levels for Bob. When asked what helped him decide on this evangelistic outreach, Bob explained, “I have enjoyed seeing the fruit of God’s hand moving in the hearts of Gordon’s friends, transforming the campus and countless lives of students and faculty. While God clearly directed my path to Gordon, He has now called me to serve Him at the Ravi Zacharias International Ministries. Through this period my wife and I have sensed God’s leading in a remarkable way.” Even though Bob is transitioning, he and his family still plan to be involved as a “number one advocate for Gordon and its mission.”

Of Bob’s faithful work over the years President Carlberg says, “His winsome ways and enthusiasm for God’s work in the hearts and lives of Gordon students have been exemplary, and I know all Christian college presidents wish they had someone like Bob to help tell their college’s story and inspire others’ enthusiastic prayers and support.”

A Variety Show for All
Gordon College’s second annual benefit variety show, 255 Grapevine: An Evening with an Address and a Certain Zip, welcomed the community during Homecoming for an evening of live entertainment with a unique admission price: canned goods donated to a local food pantry.

The show included musical talent, comedy and storytelling—drawing professional and amateur talent from all corners of campus.

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