By Graham Stone Johnson
Reporter
April 7, 2006
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Dr.Phil Kenneson
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Beginning in August, professor of theology and philosophy Phil Kenneson will serve as area chair of Biblical learning due to R. David Roberts’ retirement after this semester.
As head of the Bible department, Kenneson’s responsibilities will be “to serve on the academic committee, to handle course scheduling and budgeting in the Bible area, to chair Bible Area meetings and to serve as the ‘point’ person in our area when such is needed,” he said.
“Most (training) will be on-the-job training, the kind you acquire simply by doing the job and making mistakes along the way,” Kenneson said. He is undaunted by this, though.
“The Bible Area, like all the areas of the college, I assume, are always grateful to the person who serves in this capacity,” Kenneson said, “but it’s just one of the many important functions that faculty serve, and all of us, in different ways, contribute to the life of the college.”
Having served as area chair a few years ago when Roberts was on sabbatical for a semester, Kenneson thinks he is ready to take the reins in Roberts’ place.
“I’m willing to do my part as a way of expressing gratitude to all of those in the past who have done the same and of whose decisions all of us are the beneficiaries,” he said.
After taking this position, Kenneson will “be teaching a little less philosophy and a little more theology,” he said. He hopes to be able to teach the Spirituality in Everyday Life course each spring semester for the next several years.
“I probably won’t be teaching the ‘Religions of the World’ class or the Plato and Aristotle class,” he said. Kenneson will continue to teach Ethics and will be the sole Christ and Culture professor.
Kennson is both humbled and intimidated in taking the new position.
“We’ve had such very fine area chairs during my 14 years here that I feel a bit inadequate,” said Kenneson. “But I’ll have wonderful support from my colleagues, who are a patient and understanding group of folks.”