From Milligan to Malibu

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Alison Waters,

Reporter

Chris Heard, assistant professor of Bible at Milligan, has accepted a position as assistant professor of religion at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif. beginning this fall.

Academic dean Mark Matson informed the faculty and staff of this in an e-mail yesterday, stating, “Chris has been a wonderful part of our faculty, assisting in a number of efforts, especially the SACS report and work on use of computer media in teaching. I will miss his presence, as I am sure you will also.”

Heard said he found out that Pepperdine was hiring and sent in his curriculum vitae.

He traveled to the university in February for an interview and was officially offered a position the first week of March. Heard said that he had told both Jeanes and Matson about his interview and would give them a decision by March 17.

“Pepperdine is historically associated with the a capella Church of Christ, my church tradition, so in a way I’m moving closer to my church roots,” said Heard.

Heard said his new position will givehim a slightly lighter load, teaching Old Testament each semester in addition to one elective similar to the electives he has taught at Milligan, such as War and Peace in the Old Testament. He will be teaching one less course, which will allow him more time to read, write and publish.

“There the faculty is larger and the subjects can be spread out, and I can focus and teach things that I really know best,” said Heard. “This way I’ll always be teaching in my specialty.” 

Heard is also looking forward to having the opportunity to work with some graduate students and possibly do work on thesis committees as well.

“Of course I’ll miss it. My whole life has sort of rotated around Milligan for the last five years,” said Heard. “It was my first teaching job, an important environment. Yeah, I’ll miss it, but I think it is a good move for me.”

Matson said he talked with Jeanes regarding a replacement.

“At this point, no decision has been made. We probably will postpone a major search until the fall, the normal time to do searches for faculty,” he said. “I want a strong candidate to replace Chris. But things are still unsettled.”