Tag: Roberts Wesleyan College

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United in Worship and Christ // Houghton Hosts Roberts for Night of Worship

Photo courtesy of Houghton SGA

Students from Roberts Wesleyan College came to campus to worship, united with Houghton students. The event, which took place in the recital hall on November 8 at 8 p.m. was run by the Student Government Association, and was intended as a way to unify the two colleges in their Christian worship. The night consisted of  worship songs, prayer, and refreshments, all in the pursuit of unity between the two student bodies.

Melissa MacLean ‘17, Executive Officer of Spiritual Life, began this event last year. She said, “It all started as a dream of mine freshman year to bring the two opposing schools under one roof as worshippers of the same God.” At the time, she said, “…I didn’t have the resources to make it happen, so I left it as a dream and prayer for God to fulfill one day.” That dream, according to MacLean, was able to become a reality two years later when she “was elected into the position of Chaplain.”

Last year, the event included worship and prayer together, led by teams of students from both colleges. Ian DeHaas ’17 has been involved in the worship portion of the night both years. He said, “There’s something unique about a night of worship. Even more than the obligation of Sunday morning, the people who come out to worship together are really invested because they chose to be there. We sing together, we pray together and we remember who we are.”

This year’s event had the same format as last year’s: two colleges coming together to worship. Emily Barry ’17, another Houghton student involved in the leadership of UNITED, said, “The goal of the event is for us to come together as one body of Christ in a clear and tangible way, by worshipping and praying alongside one another. It was a beautiful and powerful testimony to see students coming together like that.”

That Friday, the leaders of UNITED were happy to see the recital hall filled again for a second year as Houghton welcomed a group of Roberts students to campus. DeHaas stated, “Once again, it was good to see the recital hall filled. We had time to pray for one another and time to connect afterward with some of the folks from Roberts. All around, it was a blessing and encouragement to see the two student bodies come together as Christ’s body.”

Now that the second year of UNITED at Houghton has taken place, the organizers are looking to the future of the event. Melissa MacLean said, “I hope to make it an annual event for the two schools, as we otherwise don’t have much contact other than sports.”

Despite the rivalry between Houghton and Roberts Wesleyan, events like the UNITED Night of Worship continue to remind students that both of these Christian colleges exist for the same reason, to bring glory to God.

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Expanding the Community // New Registrar

In June, Houghton welcomed a new Registrar to the community. Kevin Kettinger, described by his colleagues as “devoted, kind, caring and committed,” as well as “professionally competent” started his new position in Registrar Office this fall. This may be his first time working with Houghton, but Kettinger is not foreign to this position.

Photo by: Nate Moore
Photo by: Nate Moore

Kettinger spent 17 years in higher education at Roberts Wesleyan College, 13 of those years working in the Registrar’s Office, and four years in Student Financial Services. In his position in the Registrar Office at Roberts Wesleyan, he had been responsible for the day-to-day operations of the office, as well as continuing to further the efficiency of it through the use of technology within the department. John Wise, Director of Institutional Research and Assessment, said regarding Kettinger’s credentials, “Kevin has a real concern for student success as well as an understanding of technology applications in the Registrar’s office. He will help to apply our data systems and processes to improved student services and satisfaction.”

Prior to his position at Roberts Wesleyan College, Kettinger worked eight years in finance at the credit union for the Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan. He received his B.A. degree in philosophy at Asbury University and a M.S. degree in organizational management at Roberts Wesleyan College.

The Houghton search committee , Jack Connell; Eric Currie; John Wise; and Dale Wright, strongly endorsed Kettinger, as well as did President Mullen, Area Associate Deans and the Directors of Student Financial Services and Admissions.

Jack Connell, Dean of the College and Vice President of Academic Affairs, believes Kettinger’s previous experience has prepared him well for his new position. “Mr. Kettinger has a deep commitment to and understanding of Christian higher education. For the past 13 years he has worked in the Registrar’s office at a Christian liberal arts college, and prior to that he graduated from one himself. He knows who we are and what we are about, and embraces all of that warmly.”

Although uprooting from Rochester was not an easy decision, Kettinger and his family are looking forward to integrating into the life of the community and have already been made to feel very welcome.

“I have enjoyed the thoughtfulness and community feel of this institution as I observe and interact with students, staff, and faculty members,” Kettinger said. “This is a special place and I am very blessed to be here.”

Kettinger and his wife have five children. Their oldest is a transfer at Houghton, in her junior year. Jack Connell speaks highly of Kettinger’s honorable character. “Mr. Kettinger is a man of rock-solid Christian faith , deeply devoted to Christ and to the church. He honors and adores his wife and five children. He is a genuinely kind and caring person. He works hard, is thoughtful in his decision-making, and seeks excellence in all things.”

As one of the newest members of the Houghton community, Kevin Kettinger is looking forward to furthering the development of the Registrar’s Office. “My goal is to work with the great staff here to continue to move the Registrar’s Office forward to best aid and serve the students through their academic journey. We do all of these things ultimately for God’s glory.”

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Houghton Welcomes Eight New Professors

Eight professors are joining Houghton faculty this semester. Newly minted profs. Aikens, Bate, Hutchings, Luebke, Murphy, Poythress, Suzano, and Taylor are all excited to be a part of the school.

Assistant Professor of Physics, Dr. Kurt Aikens finished his undergraduate degree at Houghton in 2009. After which, he attended Purdue University where he earned his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering. “My research interests are in the area of computer simulations of fluid flows and specifically involve improving predictions of – and ultimately reducing – jet engine noise,” said Aikens, “Teaching at the undergraduate level gives me the opportunity to have a more broad educational background and study a wider range of topics. At the same time, I am also able to continue in my area of research. I get the best of both worlds.”

Dr. Brandon Bate joins the mathematics department after a year of postdoctoral research at Tel Aviv University. Like Aikens, Bate is a Houghton graduate, having completed a B.S. in Mathematics and Computer Science. He received his masters from Boston College in 2007 and his Ph.D. from Rutgers University in 2013, both in mathematics. He is married to Juliet Bate, also a 2004 Houghton graduate, and has an exuberant 4 year old son.

Dr. Sarah Hutchings, Assistant Professor of Music Theory and Composition, takes on a full-time position this year after having served two semesters as an adjunct. Hutchings received her bachelors at Western Carolina University in 2007, masters at Florida State University in 2010, and her doctorate of musical arts at the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in 2013. Asked about her position at Houghton, Hutchings said, “I feel so blessed to be able to work at a place that supports my professional development and gives me the opportunity to instruct the next generation of artists in their craft. But, most importantly, I consider it a calling to show students how God can use them as a witness in their own careers and lives.”

Dr. Adam Luebke has taken on the positions of Associate Professor of Vocal Music and Conducting as well as the Director of Choral Activities. Luebke received a bachelors of music at Olaf College in 2002, masters of music at Westminster Choir College of Rider University in 2004, and Ph.D. at Florida State University in 2010. Luebke has appeared at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and Smetana Hall.  Said Luebke, “In the first week of school I’ve really enjoyed getting to know my students, particularly those in College Choir, and learning about how music and faith intersect in their lives.  It was also quite exciting for me to get the year off to a start performing for the opening chapel service.”

Prof. Madison Murphy joins the communication department as Assistant Professor of Media Arts and Visual Communication. Murphy received her bachelors at Houghton in 2011 and her masters in fine arts at Savannah College of Art and Design in 2014. “During this first week of classes I’ve been talking with the students in the lab, and I’m impressed to see the kind of work they’re doing and the enthusiasm they have for that work; a drive to push their skills to the next level,” said Murphy.

Assistant Professor of Biology, Dr. Ransom Poythress received his bachelors from the California Institute of Technology in 2006. Following this, he attended Westminster Theological Seminary as a special student in apologetics and philosophy. He earned his Ph.D. in molecular biology from Boston University in 2013. “My goal is to show students that they are Christians who study science, not scientists who happen to be Christians,” said Poythress, “Houghton provides a real opportunity to transmit my exuberance for biology in a way that is thoroughly consistent with the Christian underpinnings of the entire scientific enterprise.”

Dr. Armenio Suzano, Associate Professor of Music History, hails from Brazil. He played clarinet in the Rio de Janeiro House Symphony Orchestra for 9 years. His term there began after winning a competition and joining as their youngest member at age 16. Upon moving to the U.S., Suzano engaged in multicultural ecclesiastical work with Portuguese-speaking communities in Massachusetts and Spanish-speaking communities in Texas. He received his bachelors at Austin State University in 1997, masters of music at Northwestern University in 1998, and his doctorate of musical arts at the University of Michigan School of Music in 2002.

Prof. Alicia Taylor joins the school as an Assistant Professor of Art. She received her bachelors at Roberts Wesleyan College in 2009, her Certificate in Arts Management and masters of fine arts at SUNY Brockport in 2013. “I am energized by the opportunity to be a part of someone else’s process in finding their voice, within their work and in the world,” said Taylor, “This year, I’m excited to engage with students during this process and foster an environment of freedom, productivity and expression in my classroom through which we can all learn and grow.”

The college is very excited to bring so many new professors on board as it experiences new growth in attendance. As the year begins, be sure to take some time and welcome these professors to Houghton.