Academic Excellence Archive

Tim Wiley

My name is Tim Wiley and I am a 2004 Youth Ministries graduate of John Brown University. My wife Allyson and I currently live in Moscow Russia, where we serve as Missionaries at Hinkson Christian Academy, a school for international high school students. During the last few years, I have been emmersed in both Christian and non-Christian environments and have been challenged to live my faith out in such a way as to be faithful as well to be a relevant light in the darkness for non-believers.

My time at John Brown refined my faith and helped me understand what it means to "act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8. I developed friendships with many of my professors and grew to respect them not because they gave me information but because they took time to hear my story and challenge me through relationship.

The Biblical Studies Division challenged my intellect, but also challenged my heart in a way that forced me to question why I follow Jesus, causing me to own my faith and learn how to live it.

Nicole Talkington

My name is Nicole Talkington and I graduated from JBU in May 2006 with a BA in Biblical & Theological Studies and Spanish. I am currently a graduate student at Princeton Theological Seminary. John Brown University prepared me for life after college in innumerable ways. An example of this preparation occurred during the semester I spent taking Dr. Johnson's "Philosophy of the Christian Faith" class. It was at this time in my studies that I encountered the writings of Saint Augustine. Studying Augustine's writings and discovering his retelling of an incident with the Manichaean teacher Faustus created a desire in me to enter a seminary for graduate work. In this story Augustine writes about the disappointment of encountering a great teacher who is not truly knowledgeable, and Augustine's desire to learn as much as he could so that he would be unlike Faustus, so that he could actually be able to answer life's hard questions for others who desired to know. After reading this story I realized that, like Augustine, I too wanted to be able to answer life's hard questions for those who would ask, and I do not believe I would have taken the route to apply to any seminary had it not been for my studies at JBU.

Jason Ingalls

After graduating from JBU in 2003, I went to Princeton Theological Seminary for a Master of Divinity. While at Princeton, I realized the gift of an education I had received in little Siloam Springs. In the midst of whirlwinds of thought and criticism, I found a refuge in the academics modeled by my JBU professors who taught me how to read texts with integrity and then how to critique them appropriately from a Christian perspective. Now, I am a campus minister with InterVarsity’s Graduate and Faculty Ministries, and I find that my academic experience at JBU laid the foundation for my ability to interact with confidence and grace with graduate students and professors from all disciplines. I thank God for that opportunity.

Jonathan VerHoeven

My decision to come to JBU was based on family ties, the school’s Christian heritage, and its location. Once I arrived, however, I discovered a challenging academic environment in which "loving God with your mind" means exercising it to its fullest extent in intellectual pursuits. This is not nearly as "stuffy" as it might sound. Through the Honors Scholars Program at JBU, I have met professors who are eager to discuss the Indianapolis Colts or the St. Louis Cardinals within minutes of teaching about Augustine, John Calvin, or Blaise Pascal in class. They faithfully attend Golden Eagle sporting events, and their ability to appreciate all facets of life has impacted students like me.

JBU is as well-rounded an institution as I can imagine. Through chapel services and intramurals, JBU has provided me the opportunities to continue my spiritual and athletic development without jeopardizing my academic development. Don’t think it’s four years of church camp, because it’s not. Come to JBU ready to work and ready to learn and ready to train for real life. Making the choice to come to JBU will reveal to you just how fulfilling it is to love God with your mind, as well as your heart, soul, and strength.

Dorothy Denny

While looking for a college, I intentionally didn't want to go to the most prestigious school I could get into. I wanted to get a good education, but I also wanted to have a life outside of studying and be able to be involved in different areas of college life. I graduated in May 2005 and can say that happened—I was able to be involved in campus leadership, intramural sports, and enjoyed deep and meaningful friendships. However, I also received a quality education--the level of which, honestly, surprised me. I am currently working on my Master's in Social Work from Washington University in Saint Louis. My Family and Human Services Bachelor's degree created an excellent base for my current work, and I am amazed at the ways JBU prepared me for this rigorous academic environment. For instance, the individualized attention from professors that was available to me really helped my scholarly writing develop. Throughout many classes I learned how to effectively write using the APA (American Psychological Association) style, which is used in social work and has been a huge asset in graduate school. I was also able to present a paper at a conference for the U.S. southwest region, based on the encouragement of a professor, which empowered me to think of myself as an actual "scholar" instead of just a college kid. I am thankful for these skills and experiences as I keep trying to love God with my mind, with my current writing and research, and with my life. Education is a huge privilege, and JBU helped me begin to discover how to use my privilege for others and for the kingdom. I am still discovering. My lifelong learning has begun.

Chase Willsey

I graduated in May of 2005 with a degree in Youth Ministry. Currently I am living in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex serving with an organization called Sower of Seeds International Ministries. My role is to connect people here in the U.S. to the need of India and facilitate opportunities for the people here to have significant impact, physically and spiritually, in India. My time at John Brown taught me the importance of being a life long learner. I recognized that having a degree on my wall did not mean that I had figured everything out and that there was nothing else for me to learn. On the contrary, it was only the beginning. John Brown taught me that to be a leader was also to be a learner. For me there was definitely a feeling of accomplishment when I walked across the stage, however, my learning process had only begun. John Brown University has provided me with a foundation to build upon, and a solid one at that. I am grateful for my years at J.B.U.

Sean Shurtleff

My experiences at John Brown University challenged my way of thinking and encouraged me to pursue God’s calling in my life. My professors in the Biblical Studies department challenged me to write excellently, required me to read extensively, and forced me to think critically. One class I liked in particular was Comparative Religions. At a time when Sept. 11th was still fresh on everyone’s mind, this class provided me with new and enlightening facts about the Islamic religion, and helped me better determine my theological and political stance on the Islamic terrorism. That was just one of many examples where JBU confirmed its commitment to staying up to date with current issues while challenging its students to think outside the box. I am truly thankful that JBU emphasized academic excellence without neglecting spiritual development, and from this integrated approach I have learned to apply the mind of Christ to all that I do, whether public or private.

Since graduating from JBU in May 2004, I have gotten married, moved to Virginia, and started a Masters degree at Regent University. All along the way the skills I learned at JBU have helped me to succeed. Without the writing and research skills I attained during my undergraduate education, I would not have been able to keep up with the even more rigorous expectations at the Graduate level. Here is a case in point. Last semester I had to write a 30 page case study on a federal law, and I would not have been able to do it without the writing skills I learned from professors like Dr. Vila and Dr. Johnson. Thanks to them, and the other professors at JBU, I now approach every situation with a critical mindset and make it a priority to do all things for the Glory of God.