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放假的时候教授们都做些什么？
In between semesters or when summer rolls around, students tend to find jobs, internships, or take summer classes to get ahead in their degrees. Whilst that's happening, what are our professors up to? 的y aren’t collecting dust while sitting in their offices or stuck in suspended animation behind various podiums across campus—our professors are doing everything everywhere. Apart from teaching May term classes, professors publish and edit books, lead research projects, guide Mac scholar trips, and lead seminars at conferences in the US and abroad.
编辑出版图书
Our professors tend to write quite a bit, and often the summer is a good time for professors to write and publish books and journal articles. Dr. Kelly Kapic, professor of theological studies, published a book on May 20 called 你从来没有想过要做所有的事：40天对人性之善的虔诚. Regarding this book, he says, “While there has been a strong and positive response to 你只是人, many people asked for a briefer and more accessible version.” He says, “Each day is less than 850 words. 的 idea is to provide an overview of the key ideas without getting into all of the arguments or fuller details.” Dr. Hans Madueme is also working on a book that is being released July 1 as part of 的 Gospel Coalition's Hard Questions series titled 科学让上帝无关紧要吗？ 的 book offers a biblically informed perspective on science, helping readers embrace both faith and science in a responsible and God-glorifying way.
Retired professors are also hard at work continuing to make an impact in Christ’s kingdom with the gifts that He has given them. Dr. William D. Dennison, professor emeritus of interdisciplinary studies, recently edited 邪恶的问题, by Cornelius Van Til (1895-1987). Van Til addresses the question that has engaged and challenged philosophers and theologians alike for centuries: “Why does evil exist?” Dr. Dennison edited the work and wrote an introductory essay to place Van Til’s work in discussion with contemporary discourse.
研究
Most of our professors conduct research during the semester and over the summer, such as associate professor of church history and theology and bible department chair, Dr. Clifton Ward, who is writing for several publishers on the theologian Clement of Alexandria. Many professors welcome students to assist them in research for different projects. AJ Mirabella ’26 is interning with Dr. Brian Fikkert, professor of economics and community development. Breaking down the research they are performing on job prep resources for New Americans, she says, “I’m researching what others have done and what the terrain looks like in Chattanooga so we can know how to better fill that gap.”
Sam Maphet ’27, a physics major, is helping Dr. Phillip Broussard, professor of physics, research the superconducting properties of niobium, which is commonly used in superconducting magnets for particle accelerators and MRI machines. Sam explains how they cool the niobium sample “to minus 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and an electric current is induced in the [niobium].” 的ir findings depend on the different factors of the purity and different densities of niobium. Sam, assisted by Dr. Broussard, is presenting their findings at the South Eastern Section of the American Physical Society at James Madison university this coming October.
会议及研讨会
Professors are always attending conferences and giving lectures at seminars when not lecturing. Biblical and theological studies professors Dr. Hans Madueme and Dr. Kelly Kapic are presenting seminars and signing books at the PCA’s General Assembly this summer. Dr. Heather Hess, assistant professor of English, is attending the plenary gathering for the Christian Poetics Initiative and will also be presenting a seminar at the General Assembly entitled, “Imagination & the Preeminence of Christ."
五月学期、暑期学院和国外
Several professors, including Dr. Richard Follett, professor of history, and Dr. Scott Quatro, business professor of management, taught May term classes that took place after the spring semester ended. Dr. Jay Green, professor of history, led our Mac Scholars on a trip to Turkey, Dr. Elissa Yukiko Weichbrodt, associate professor of art and art history, taught a class in New York, and Dr. Deborah Fortezza, associate professor of Spanish, brought a class to Spain.
今年夏天，高中生也从威尼斯人平台的教师那里受益。 Thirteen professors are teaching classes for 夏季研究所, including Dr. Philip Bunn, who is teaching a class called Fundamental Cares: Reason, Honor, and Faith. He writes, “[的] central question we will be wrestling with in the course is ‘what are you willing to die for?’ This is obviously a heavy question, but one that will help as we discuss each major thinker or reading and the ideas there." Dr. Bagby will be teaching a class called 什么? 我当老师？: Designing, Teaching, and Assessing a Lesson. She describes it, saying, "In this course students will explore and practice important aspects of teaching, beginning with laying a biblical foundation and culminating with designing and teaching a lesson to students at a local school." Professors are still teaching despite it being the “offseason” for them.
在回归之前收尾
尽管教授们从学年开始就“下班”，但他们仍在努力工作。 的y are still teaching, writing, and researching for the school or for larger audiences and are trying to get things wrapped up before a bustling student body returns to the campus.