Faculty Scholar, Author and Center Director, Dan Russ, Named Interim Academic Dean

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 11, 2009

MEDIA CONTACT
Jo Kadlecek
Office of College Communications
978.867.4752
[email protected]

WENHAM, MA – When he’s not writing essays and books or lecturing on classical literature, he’s interacting with visiting lecturers at Gordon. He serves on several committees at Gordon while also editing online journals and scholarly works. In other words, Dr. Dan Russ, director of the Center for Christian Studies, is an academic’s academic.

Because of his vast experience in higher education and his leadership in a number of programs both on and off campus, Dr. Russ has been appointed interim academic dean for the 2009-2010 school year. His new appointment will involve oversight of faculty development, program coordination, and academic support.

Since 2003, Russ, a resident of Danvers, has directed the Center for Christian Studies while also serving on the faculty, helping coordinate a variety of lecture series. Under Russ’s leadership, Gordon has hosted renowned speakers such as Dallas Willard, Phillip Jenkins, Cornell West, Peggy Wehmeyer and David Aikman. He has taught courses in the Jerusalem and Athens Forum, moderated numerous panel discussions and written for many campus publications.

“Dan Russ is trusted and admired by his colleagues for his discernment, prudent judgment, and ability to work collaboratively with many persons. I look forward to working alongside him more closely next year,” said Provost Mark Sargent. “He brings a rich love of the liberal arts to the task, which will be most helpful as we implement a new Core curriculum. I have confidence that he will help us make substantial progress on various projects and initiatives.”

Before his role at the Center for Christian Studies, Russ was also the executive director of Christians in the Visual Arts, an international arts organization that is housed at Gordon. He holds a B.A. in English from the University of Evansville, a M.A. in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary, a M.A. in English from the University of Dallas, and a Ph.D. in Literature and Psychology from the University of Dallas. He was the Headmaster of Trinity Christian Academy, a K-12 college preparatory school in Dallas, Texas, and continues to serve as a fellow of the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture, where he also served as managing director and faculty member for five years.

In addition to his other work, Russ is a senior fellow, moderator, and academic consultant for the Trinity Forum, a Christian university without walls for business, civic, and professional leaders. He wrote and edited a curriculum for the Trinity Forum entitled Children of Prometheus: Technology and the Good Life and served as editor of Provocations: an Online Journal of The Trinity Forum. His book Flesh-and-Blood Jesus: Learning to be Fully Human from the Son of Man was published by the Baker Publishing Group in July of 2008. He and his wife, Kathy, have four grown children and live in Danvers, Massachusetts.

For more information, please contact the Office of College Communications, 978.867.4752.

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