Academic Programs

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
In the spring of 1994, Dr. Richard Wright introduced an interdepartmental minor at Gordon: Environmental Studies. It focuses on interactions between human systems and natural systems. Students enrolled in the program take classes from a large variety of departments: Natural Science, Biology, Philosophy, Political Studies and Sociology. The aim of the minor is to allow students to see how the environment affects all aspects of life and our dependence on it for survival. The emphasis of the program is on Christian principles directing us to practice good environmental stewardship.

For students interested in more extensive environmental studies, Gordon has a relationship with a Christian organization, AuSable Institute, which now has five campuses and a number of courses and internships focused on ecology and issues of environmental stewardship. Gordon students also have the opportunity to study sustainable tropical agriculture in Florida and Haiti in connection with ECHO, a Christian non-profit organization dedicated to fighting world hunger. The Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) has a Creation Care Semester and the Latin American Studies Program of the CCCU has an Environmental Studies concentration. There are also numerous other opportunities for environmental science at Gordon. Dr. Dorothy Boorse, assistant professor of Biology, is now in charge of the Environmental Studies minor and is the AuSable Institute representative to Gordon. Any interested persons should contact her at campus extension 4382.