In Focus: Faculty

“Why Gordon?” | Three New Faculty Respond
By Calen Rubin
It was like a job interview all over again for Gordon’s three newest faculty when asked “Why Gordon College?”
Roger Johnson, at Messiah College for 24 years, will be a visiting economics professor for the 2008–2009 academic year; Andrew Logemann recently completed his Ph.D. in English while teaching at Indiana University; and Kent Seibert  taught at Wheaton College for 13 years and now looks forward to teaching economics long-term at Gordon. What attracted these faculty--all with different goals and at different points in their careers--to Gordon?

Roger Johnson first met Stephen Smith, chair of economics and business, 20 years ago in Hong Kong. After years of meeting at international conferences, Smith invited Johnson to Gordon as a visiting professor. Johnson will teach four economics courses, including Principles of Microeconomics and Labor Economics. His research interests include political economy and the Mondragón cooperatives in Spain.

Andrew Logemann did his undergraduate studies at Wheaton College. He enjoyed the Christian environment and wanted to have that “deeper level of connection between faculty and students” in his teaching career. A proud father of twin baby girls, he is thankful to be teaching at Gordon this year.

Kent Seibert fell in love with Gordon 17 years ago while completing his doctorate at Boston University. He taught one class at Gordon during that time, and, as his first experience with a Christian college, he loved the idea of “integrating faith with study.” He looks forward to teaching two new business courses, among others, on leadership and organizational behavior. His research interests focus on the transition from college to the workplace and the idea of business as missions.

Department chairs Stephen Smith, economics and business, and Andrea Frankwitz, English, hope to use the expertise of these new colleagues in new courses in the future. Smith says, “This is a terrific step forward for our departments.”

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Ray Loring, 1943–2008
A well-loved adjunct music professor and famous composer, Charles “Ray” Loring III, passed away after suffering a heart attack on a hike in September. Loring taught courses at Gordon in music composition, music theory and instrumental arrangement beginning in 2006.

Also an accomplished composer, he scored nearly 100 episodes for the NOVA series Saving The National Treasures as well as numerous other PBS commissions, including Frontline, The History Channel and The Discovery Channel. A classically trained pianist, Loring studied with Fred Noonan, the White House pianist for Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry Truman. At 28 he wrote the score for the film Ruby.

“Gracious, kindhearted, and always ready to do more to serve others, Ray was greatly appreciated by students and colleagues,” said Provost Mark Sargent. “His passing is an occasion for sadness, but we can also celebrate a life of dedication, service and kindness.”

“He was able to recognize talent and encourage creativity in many students,” said Dr. Stephen Price, one of Loring’s closest friends. “Ray had a deep faith and recognized that in his success he never left God out as he walked passionately, yet humbly with his Creator” (Deuteronomy 8:6–18).

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