Category: Stories In Focus

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Stories In Focus

Evelyn Simanowski’s Musical Journey

by Jiana Martin '26

Senior Evelyn Simanowski ‘25’s greatest passion since childhood has been music. Pursuing music in her studies and career was always a part of her desired plans and a “series of perfectly crafted ‘God moments’” allowed her to attend Houghton University (HU) to follow those dreams.

“I believe so deeply that the talents God has given us correspond with the life He has written for us and the musical gifts He has given me deserve to be honed and developed to glorify Him and live out the life He has for me to the fullest,” Simanowski expressed. 

Despite her undying love for music, her musical journey has not unfolded without some hardships. One of which has been accepting that perfection is unattainable. As a perfectionist, it has been a hard lesson for Simanowski to learn that a perfect performance will never be achieved despite all the time and effort put into it. 

“When you learn that lesson you can become discouraged and give up,” Simanowski reflected, “or you can rise to the task at hand and pursue excellence anyways for the sake and value of the art.”

During her years at HU, one of her greatest professional accomplishments has been placing as a finalist in the National Association for Teachers of Singing Solo Festival in the Finger Lakes Region. Simanowski also noted that having the opportunity to play Amalia Balash in the Lyric Theatre’s production of “She Loves Me” was “a huge marker of the progress [she] made in these last four years.” However, despite these milestones in her Houghton career, Simanowski’s greatest achievement has been perceiving her musical talents as God-given gifts and interactions as opportunities to give him the glory.

As a culmination of her time at HU, Simanowski will be performing her senior recital titled “Faint Heart Never Won” on Feb. 19 at 8 p.m.

Simanowski shared that the title originates from the English proverb “Faint heart never won fair maiden,” which “serves as a lesson that if one sets out to achieve difficult things, effort will be involved.”   

She has chosen to perform pieces she loves containing female figures and characters who lived through unfavorable circumstances, yet are remembered for their strength and dignity. The performance will include “Try Me, Good King” by Libby Larsen that uses the last words of each of the wives of Henry VIII, a song cycle by Debussy using some French poetry and “Song to the Moon”, an aria by Antonin Dvořák.

“I chose pieces for my recital that would challenge me vocally and intellectually, requiring thought on my part to bring the text and the composer’s vision to life,” Simanowski explained.

Reflecting on his time working with Simanowski as a collaborative pianist, Senior Ryan Nickelsen ‘25 has appreciated her “willingness to be flexible in the way she performs any given song.” Rehearsing and performing with her has been an easy and enjoyable experience because she sees the pianist as a fellow performer rather than a supporting role. Simanowski’s professionalism and enthusiasm in her singing stand out to Nickelsen. 

He commented that as a past observer and a current accompanist, “it has been a delight to see her continue to push herself to become a better singer, even when it seemed as if she had already hit her cap.” 

Nickelsen is excited to share the hard work he and Simanowski have put into the recital and hopes that everyone will enjoy it as much as he has enjoyed putting it together with her. 

For Prof. Kimberly Prins Moeller, Associate Professor of Voice, walking with Simanowski and getting to know her over the past four years has been a privilege and a joy. She admires her dedication, willingness and how she welcomes feedback and critique in a positive manner. 

“They say still waters run deep and I think that is quite appropriate for Evelyn. Her head is always on straight, she is a thoughtful student in every way, and she is not afraid of the effort it will take to achieve her goals,” Moeller shared. “Evelyn is also extremely self-aware and unafraid of questioning and revisiting her dreams and plans,” she added.

Moeller is excited about the many stories told through Simanowski’s selections, and the new colors and qualities of her voice that will be displayed. 

“It’s a compelling recital that you definitely don’t want to miss,” Moeller said and added, “I trust that this recital will be a celebration of all her creativity, work and accomplishments!” ★

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Dance Club

by Aivery Shuck ('26)

Houghton University’s (HU) Dance Club is a new affiliated campus club that meets in Presser Hall, located in the basement of the Chapel. Their weekly Saturday meetings, from 6-7 p.m., provide an opportunity for dancers and non-dancers of any skill level to learn some new moves and have fun with friends and peers.

Dancing has been a part of HU’s history in various forms.

In 2011, Jive 101 (along with Pointe to Christ) was a student-run swing club. Then, in the fall of 2016, alumna Kaitlyn Nirkirk ‘18 founded the ballroom team, which attended ballroom Dancesport competitions. The Ballroom & Swing Dance won ribbons at the Cornell Dancesport Classic (Cornell University) in fall 2016 and other competitions near Albany and at Princeton in spring and fall 2017. In 2017, they traveled to Columnus, Ohio to compete in the club’s largest event, the Ohio Star Ball. After 2022, the club vanished.

Chiara Lantorno ‘28, one of the club’s founders, stated that Dance Club was inspired by the lack of an outlet on campus for HU students to dance together in recent years.

“The club was created after how much I missed taking dance classes with my friends,” Lantorno explained, “and I figured other students who used to take dance classes would feel the same.”

A typical meeting begins with warm-up, stretching, across the floor exercises and ends with a brief dance combination. They focus on a different dance style each month. January was focused on Hip Hop and February will be centered on Modern dance style. 

Bailey Lewis ‘28 noted, “You don’t have to be a dancer to join a dance club! It is easy to catch on to what is happening. The club is judgement-free and wants to welcome anyone who wants to come and have fun.” 

It is a great opportunity to express yourself through dance, as well as try something new! 

Nadia Gordon ‘28, another founder, added, “Moving our bodies is one of the best ways to refresh from a hard week of school work … Dance club is a safe space that cultivates fun and community.” 

Overall, Dance Club is a space where students can step out of their comfort zone and try something new, or gain the opportunity to continue to dance in college. ★

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Grace Vuolo

by Rebecca Dailey ('25)

Grace Vuolo, a recent graduate from the Houghton University class of 2024, is gearing up to release her debut single between Christmas and New Year’s. “Congratulations”,  an Indie pop track, featuring a hint of punk influence and showcases Vuolo’s growth both as a songwriter and performer.

“I write all my songs from experience,” said Vuolo, reflecting on the inspiration behind her new single. “I wrote this song after realizing that I needed to start taking care of myself instead of just being the peacekeeper I had always been. I had let others control my life and knew it was time for a change.”

The song’s themes of self-empowerment and personal growth are a central part of Vuolo’s music, which she hopes will resonate deeply with her listeners. 

“I’ve been singing since I was a toddler, and I’ve been songwriting since I was five years old, although I started seriously at twelve and singing at fourteen.” She added that “Music has always been my expressive outlet, and I hope that my songs help others feel seen and hopeful.”

Vuolo’s journey in music has been a long one, but she advises anyone interested in pursuing music to keep going, no matter the challenges. “If you love it, don’t give up! The road to success isn’t always clear, but passion and persistence matters more than anything,” she shared. Her goal is to provide others with a means of self-expression, and she encourages young artists to think about the impact their music can have on others.

“Congratulations” will be available on all major streaming platforms, including Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube. Vuolo performs under the stage name “Ian.”

Adding to the excitement surrounding the release, Vuolo has also directed the music video for the single, featuring fellow student Alaska Dunstan ‘25. Dunstan, who plays a role in the video, spoke about the unique experience. 

“This is my first time acting, and it’s been so exciting!” Dunstan said. “I’ve never worked with film before, so it’s been fascinating to see how everything works. Grace has been amazing in guiding the visuals, and we’ve had a lot of fun in the process.” She noted that the set was full of energy and laughter, a refreshing balance to the serious work of bringing the video to life.

Dr. Sharon Johnson praised Vuolo for her maturity and growth. “Grace has an incredible ability to light up a stage, whether she’s performing as a singer or actor,” she said. “It’s been a joy to watch her grow, not just as a musician, but as a person.”

With the upcoming release of “Congratulations”, Vuolo is not only marking a significant milestone in her career but also offering a piece of her heart and journey to all. Listeners can expect a song that’s both introspective and anthemic, a reflection of the artist’s evolution as she steps confidently into the spotlight. ★

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Rallying the Den

by Bethany Tubman (’25)

The sports marketing club failed to recharter, and the leaderless Den (the affectionate name for the student sections) grew silent at games. 

“It was the summer before my junior year,” Tymber Wynn, a senior on the women’s basketball team, remembered. “Selah and I were just texting, saying we are tired of people never coming to games, and we just want to make it fun.” 

Wynn and Selah Kurtz (a 2024 Houghton University graduate) made an Instagram account in the summer of 2023 that cultivated a community of spirited Houghton students who would support the Houghton athletic community on and off the field. When asked how the name “Lander Nation” was chosen, Wynn enthusiastically said, “We literally did a poll on Instagram asking what people wanted it to be called! The name Lander Nation came from Carlee Miller, and people voted on that!” 

In the Fall semester of 2023, Lander Nation made its presence felt by the Houghton athletic community as they planned, hosted and promoted events like tailgates before games and themed spirit nights during games. The Instagram account caught the eye of the Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Jeremy Bialek. 

“We as coaches can try to get students excited about what we are doing or our teams, but when students are excited, it’s contagious, and that is what I saw from Lander Nation. It was very contagious,” he attested. 

Tricia Carmer, a sophomore on the women’s basketball team, said playing in the basketball games as a freshman and seeing the support of students taking part in their themed game nights inspired her. For Carmer, Lander Nation ignites campus spirit in and out of games. Carmer joined Wynn as Lander Nation continues pursuing the unique aim of reigniting Houghton school spirit and communal student support of athletic ventures. 

Lander Nation faced challenges as they worked in the Spring 2024 semester to become a university-recognized club in the upcoming Fall 2024 semester. Kurtz graduated in 2024, and Wynn and Carmer lacked knowledge about club development. According to Wynn, they turned to Coach Bialek and Director of Student Engagement Jana Newberry for guidance. Their support was instrumental in Lander Nation’s journey, she said. 

Coach Bialek suggested that he and Newberry helped Wynn and Carmer find a way to adopt the structure of the Sports Marketing Club into Lander Nation. This provided a new flair to sports marketing on campus. 

Carmer said this year, the club will focus on Basketball season because she and Wynn (both basketball players) are the only ones in the club. However, she hopes that if students enjoy the basketball season events, they will be interested in expanding the club’s reach.

When asked what they were most looking forward to for the 2024-2025 school year, Coach Bialek, Wynn and Carmer shared excitement for the Lander Nation shirts they are designing. 

Coach Bialek attested he was excited about the growth that the Den will see as Lander Nation provides more student Leadership through Den Days (these will be days students will be encouraged to go to games of the sport Lander Nation is trying to highlight at that time) and themed basketball game nights.

“I just encourage students to try it out. Go to a game. See what being part of the student section is like and maybe get some free shirts out of it,” said Coach Bialek. ★

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Salvation Army Student Fellowship

by Logan Caroll ('26)

The Salvation Army was created when William and Catherine Booth saw the poverty stricken people in the slums of London and felt a calling from God to minister to them. In 1865, the Booths created the Christian Mission. The mission was simple: help those in poverty physically, and then share the gospel and connect them with local churches. However, local churches treated the poor as outcasts and didn’t want them in their congregations. So, in 1878, William and Catherine decided that if other churches wouldn’t accept these people, they would start a church that would welcome them. Borrowing from the popular military language of the time, the Booths set their church up like an army, with its mission to be a church for people other churches forgot about.

The Salvation Army Student Fellowship (SASF) at Houghton University connects students with this same mission, providing opportunities for service and ministry in a local setting.  

Upon hearing “Salvation Army,” it is common to think about thrift stores and Christmas time bell-ringers; however, it is more than that. At a basic level, it is a church. 

Judith Rapley, Houghton Board of Trustees member and former SASF member, stated, “The Salvation Army is more than just a church, it has the ability to touch the whole person from soup and soap to salvation.” 

Rapley refers to the motto of William Booth: soup, soap and salvation. He firmly believed that if people are to be open to hearing the gospel, they need to have their physical needs met. 

The Salvation Army and the SASF have maintained Booth’s commitment to meeting both physical and spiritual needs. Houghton’s SASF partners with the Salvation Army in Wellsville to provide ways of meeting these needs in a local community setting through service opportunities such as nursing home visitation, food distribution, Christmas assistance and more. 

Each opportunity offered allows Christians to act on their faith as Jesus commands in Matthew 25:40 (NIV): “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” 

The SASF provides the space for students across denominational lines to partner together in ministry. 

Emily Stothart, SASF director and pastor of the Wellsville Salvation Army, said, “The SASF is a place where students of all backgrounds come together to serve. While some of our students attend the Salvation Army as their church, not all do, which is a great thing. It allows us to learn from those with different denomination backgrounds, and it allows those who don’t attend The Army to see that no matter where they end up, there is a church they know they can volunteer at to serve their local community.” 

Houghton students have long prided themselves as being “scholar-servants,” and the SASF also provides avenues for servanthood post-graduation. The Salvation Army exists across the US, as well as over 135 countries, allowing many service opportunities far beyond the reach of Houghton’s campus.

Rapley stated, “The Salvation Army has opportunities to serve around the world… because of the network I made through the SASF, I was able to serve after graduation.” 

Brynn Dixon ‘25, SASF President, encouraged people to check out SASF on CampusGroups. 

“We have our Christmas Campaign coming up which means lots of opportunities to volunteer in the community,” Dixon said. “So if you have a few hours to spare and want to help out come stop by the SASF office and chat with us! Even if you don’t think there’s something for you to do we can always help you find something that you’ll like and enjoy doing! And it helps the community!” ★

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Sam Kocheri

By Juliana Schmidt ('25)

As the new Professor of History, Sam Kocheri Clement might be new to teaching at Houghton University, but he is familiar with the world of history. 

Kocheri grew up as the youngest of four in a small family in India. He dabbled in other avenues before he decided to pursue a career in teaching. 

“I went to join a Catholic seminary to become a priest. After I realized that was not my calling, I discontinued it,” he explained.

Kocheri graduated from Mahatma Gandhi University—located in Kottayam a city in the Kottayam district of Kerala, India—with a bachelor’s degree in English. He then obtained his masters in English from St. Aloysius university in Karnataka, India. In 2021, Kocheri successfully defended his PhD thesis in Postcolonial History at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom. He returned to India to work for ten months, and during that time he received his postdoctoral funding. 

At the time, Kocheri wanted to look for a place that aligned with his beliefs. He found HU while searching for Christian institutions.

“I wanted to go somewhere where I could profess my faith much more clearly,” Kocheri said. 

While Kocheri feels comfortable in his faith now, there was a time when he felt disconnected from God. He opened up about how he fell numerous times away from Christianity and how he was an atheist for about four years before he found his way back to God. 

Kocheri talked about how important it is for him as a teacher to show his students that he is not and has not always been perfect in his faith. By showing that side of himself, he believes it will allow him to relate to his students more in their own faith journeys. 

He was inspired by various people along his journey to becoming a history professor. He shared a quote from Carl Gustav Jung: “One looks back with appreciation to brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is a vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.”

Kocheri tries to live by Jung’s quote in his teaching. Additionally, he mentioned the professors Andrew Davis and Dr. Berny Sebe. 

“Both of them guided me like their brother,” Kocheri remembered. Dr. Sebe was, “Extremely kind to me, compassionate. I want to be someone like him.”

In 2020, he married his wife, Claire, in Birmingham, England. Three years later they welcomed their daughter, Lydia. 

Kocheri reminisced about what he used to do with his free time. A few years ago his answer might have been movies, but after his baby came almost all the movies he watches now are Disney movies. In his free time Kocheri now just wants to “chill.”

“I don’t know how long she’ll be a small kid, but I want to enjoy every second with her,” he explained. Kocheri expressed an interest in fishing with his daughter when she grows older. He also likes raising animals and would love to have some chickens or goats. 

While Kocheri has only spent a few months at HU, he described the community as sacrificial. Everyone “cares for one another,” which is not something he had experienced as much at previous jobs. 

He found the first two weeks hard, but with the help and support of Houghton’s community and students, he has settled in and feels welcomed. 

Currently, Kocheri is “Loving the peace and calm Houghton has.” ★ 

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Sarah Massey

By Julia Collins ('26)

On Thursday, Oct. 17, Music Professor Sarah Massey will be holding a lecture as part of the Faculty Lecture Series on student engagement and learning. The meeting will be in Library, room 323 at 4:25 p.m.

The Faculty Lecture Series is a gathering where professors get a chance to speak to students and colleagues about subjects they have researched. The lectures occur around once a month and are praised for being a way for professors to connect with students.

Dr. Massey said her lecture will focus on “motivating students to be transformed by active engagement in learning requires creative strategies.” 

She explained that “reluctant students who tend to ‘stay on the sidelines’ due to attitudes that they may FAIL can be empowered to move into the FLOW of activities which can maximize learning.” 

While she plans to further explain this in her lecture, the main focus will be on “student-first learning.” This is important because, according to Dr. Massey, “thinking creatively about how class material is presented takes time but pays off with student engagement.”  

Senior Colin O’Mara (‘25) is excited about the lecture. He said that he wants to attend because “the lectures are from professors we know who are speaking to their personal areas of interest and study.” Having knowledge from professors’ personal interests “allows me to become versed in a wide variety of interesting subjects,” he added. 

O’Mara reports that professors have given lectures on a variety of topics. He mentioned that there is often “a solid mixture of students and faculty.” He goes to as many lectures as he can, even if the topic is different from what students typically discuss.

“If I can receive an interesting lecture on a subject I appreciate, but haven’t had time to invest in, on a Thursday evening I’ll be there,” O’Mara said.

Andrew Walton, a theology professor, is currently a part of organizing the faculty lectures.

“[I] enjoy the chance to step away from my area of study and hear about the exciting work my colleagues are doing in diverse fields,” he commented. 

Dr. Walton explained that these lectures provide an opportunity to introduce new and emerging topics not covered in classrooms. Faculty lectures “also serve as a valuable model for students, demonstrating the research process in action,” he added. These lectures bridge the gap between professors’ personal and academic interests.

Dr. Walton himself specifically said that he enjoys talking about the Old Testament.

He said that “my favorite topics to talk about are Job and the Psalms, specifically the Psalms of lament.” This topic is interesting to him because he appreciates “the raw honesty of these biblical texts which provide us with the chance to wrestle with the profound and sometimes unanswerable questions of human existence.” Dr. Massey’s lecture provides a space to learn about music, education and connecting with others. ★

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Ryann Cooley

By Aivery Shuck ('26)

Ryann Cooley has been serving the Houghton community as a professor for 11 years now, but has spent the majority of his life doing photography work. He provides his knowledge and energy in the art department, teaching digital media and photography.

Before Prof. Cooley came to Houghton, he began his journey as a military and business man who dreamed of traveling the world taking photos. To pursue this dream, Prof. Cooley went to college in Santa Barbara, Calif. and then started his career in New York City.

Soon after, Cooley was given an amazing opportunity to follow a missions program to Mexico—escaping the cold of New York—where he photographically documented the missionaries’ work. This experience opened up more opportunities for Prof. Cooley to take photos in a multitude of other countries, and he was able to pursue his dream of traveling the world for many years. Although traveling was thrilling, Prof. Cooley decided to settle back in New York City with his family. There, his advertising career took off as he began photographing for many different companies and magazines. After finding advertising less fulfilling than his past photography work, Prof. Cooley turned to teaching, and ended up at Houghton.

While deciding on which college to teach at, Prof. Cooley said that Houghton was the only school with students who “grilled him with questions for the full hour and a half.” He followed this by saying that Houghton was also the only school that got him thinking, “Holy cow… this is a lot of fun!”

Current art major Rachael Smith (‘26) said, “Professor Cooley’s classes are consistently enjoyable and full of energy. His witty humor and interactive approach makes every class fun. He takes time to involve everyone in discussions, and his thoughtful feedback inspires personal growth and development.” 

Prof. Cooley fosters meaningful and close relationships with his students, and his students appreciate all of the hard work he does connecting with them on a personal level.

Alumna Rachel Smith (Class of ‘22) said that Cooley “supported us outside and inside the classroom as a friend and a professor … we always felt so seen and so valued as one of his art majors.” 

His classes are open to people who have experience taking photos, as well beginners. Chesnie Waddingham (‘26), who is taking Prof. Cooley’s intro to digital photography class, stated that “even before I knew him, I met him, just because his reputation precedes him of being an amazing professor and amazing person. … He finds a good balance of encouraging us and reminding us that there is grace in trial and error when perfecting your craft.” 

Prof. Cooley has had an adventurous career thus far, but it’s far from over. One of the greatest adventures in life is being a teacher, and having the gifts to cultivate knowledge in students. Prof. Cooley is excited to continue building up the art program at Houghton. 

For the first time this spring, Prof. Cooley will be offering a class that prepares students for a photography trip to Puerto Rico during the Spring 2025 semester’s March Break. If you love photography and traveling, join Prof. Cooley on this 10 day adventure! There are limited spots, so start planning soon! ★

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After Party Groups

By Anna Lloyd ('26)

This week, sixteen small groups across campus met for the first time, utilizing a six-week curriculum called “The After Party” to help navigate discussions regarding Christian engagement in politics.

These groups are jointly sponsored by the Office of Spiritual Life and the Kingdom Initiative, with the goal of drawing students, faculty, staff and community members into conversation with one another. The groups will wrap up in the first week of November, just in time for the election, and culminate in the Kindschi Symposium on Faith and Justice on the topic of civility. For students, it is also an opportunity to earn Around-the-Table credits toward their fall chapel attendance. 

Bethany Tubman (‘25), leading one of the small groups, said, “The After Party is a unique opportunity to engage in meaningful and intentional conversation about how Christians should navigate the American political climate. I’m so thankful that Houghton is partnering with the After Party.”

Given the topic these groups are centered on, worrying about the content and atmosphere surrounding these conversations is to be expected. However, that fear is partly what these groups are designed to address.

“[Students] need opportunities to reflect on the meaning of Christian citizenship without getting caught up in the media hype, overhead polemics, and online frenzy,” Dr. Meilaender, Dean of Religion, Humanities and Global Studies and the Kingdom Initiative Director, shared. “This fall’s After Party groups should provide the chance to do that, getting together with a few brothers and sisters in Christ – faculty, students, and staff – to talk with each other about how we engage in public life, live out the faith, and respect our fellow citizens, even when we disagree sharply.” 

The curriculum acknowledges the deeply polarizing atmosphere that many people are familiar with when it comes to discussions around politics, and instead seeks to re-orient participants in these conversations toward living out identity in Christ through the way that they engage with others.

“As Christians,” Interim Dean of Spiritual Life and Chair of Religion, J.L. Miller said, “we must find ways to subvert the current cultural draw towards polarization…to help one another have caring and charitable conversations with people from all walks of life.” 

As participants engage in their small groups, they will be asked to consider questions such as “Who has disappeared from your life because of politics?” in order to shift discussions from being primarily about party, policy and ideology, to being centered on relational practices, relationships and spiritual values. The curriculum stresses that this doesn’t suggest that Christians should not take part in political discussions or actions. Rather, “The After Party” takes this approach because, at this time, the political arena is dominated by a way of relating to one another that ultimately attempts to deny the worthiness and value of those whom you may disagree with. The hope is that as individuals refocus on relating to one another in a way that affirms their being created in the image of God. In this way, we will be able to move forward into conversations that do involve party, policy and ideology in ways that are helpful and beneficial. 

Miller shared that it is his “sincere hope that our campus’ participation in the After Party will help all participants grow in their ability to demonstrate Christ’s love during a contentious time in the public sphere.

A group participant, Mary Blake (‘26) said of her experience in an After Party group: “I’m excited to have the opportunity to be in an After party group with other people who are looking to honor God and prioritize loving their neighbor in the election season. I hope that these discussions inspire us to be more active in building relationships with people who may see things differently than us and less passive in having difficult conversations.” ★

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Ransom Poythress

By Lydia Merrill ('25)

“If you’ve ever been a student in one of Dr. Ransom Poythress’s STEM classes at Houghton University, you probably know that he is enthusiastic and dedicated,” Lydia Zampella (‘25) said. Yet, there’s so much more to Poythress than what’s seen in the classroom. From his journey to Houghton and his life beyond academia, to the story behind his childhood stuffed animal, Froggy, there’s a wealth of experiences and passions that define him. 

Growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, PA, with his brother and family pets, Poythress had a Christ-centered childhood with the support of his parents. The intellectual environment that his parents provided inspired him to get a Biology degree, and later a Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology from Boston University. His diverse background in faith (which includes multiple denominations) and the rural location of Houghton led him to teach in the university’s biology department. Beginning with his first job at a toy store called Zany Brainy, where he enjoyed organizing the LEGO section, Poythress discussed some of the experiences that shaped him into who he is today. 

“I went through a time in my early 20s where I kept trying to find value and worth in things other than Christ,” Poythress said. “First it was intelligence, then athletics, then relationships, then finances, and God kept chastening me by taking these things away. It was an incredibly painful period of life, but I can see now God’s loving care through it all. He disciplines those he loves and he really wanted me to trust and depend on him alone by removing the idols in my life (Hebrews 12:4-11).” 

Although Houghton is home to Poythress, he finds it interesting to think about where life could have led him. When asked about his potential alternate career, Poythress shared his passion for writing on the intersection of Christianity and science. 

“I’ve really enjoyed writing about apologetics, especially presuppositionalism, and how it applies to all facets of life and work,” he explained.

Even if some Houghton students haven’t had him as a professor, it is likely that they have found him on the quad demolishing the competition in ultimate frisbee—one of the many hobbies Poythress enjoys. Otherwise, his interests in board games, reading, watching movies and spending time with his four kids keeps him occupied.

“We are so blessed as a community,” Emma Ryan (‘25) said, “to have an influence like Poythress here with us to share York Peppermint Patties from his office and a strong faith based education with students.” 

Poythress never fails to make distraught students feel better since, admittedly, when asked whether or not he considers himself a silly goose, he shared: “In certain circumstances with certain people, absolutely.” ★