Major in Game Design
Tell stories through games • Become a professional game designer • Impact the world
John Brown University
2000 W. University St.,
Siloam Springs, AR 72761
479-524-9500
jbuinfo@jbu.edu
Tell stories through games • Become a professional game designer • Impact the world
In the game design major, you'll learn how to create the games of your dreams. You'll sharpen coding skills, gain a deep understanding of game theory, draw upon 3D modeling abilities and understand the field from a Christian perspective.
Start your applicationJBU game design majors have every opportunity to work with state-of-the-art equipment and engage with advanced technology while coming up with concepts for their own games.
At JBU, you'll be guided and learn how to design games that integrate your faith covertly or overtly, while learning to seek excellence and honor God.
93% of people under the age of 18 play video games, and video game sales have grown consistently every year since 2015. A game design degree will prepare you for this growing industry.
Game design majors will learn the basics of both computer science and graphic design, a great springboard into more advanced game design coursework.
The Balzer Technology Center has 40,000 square feet of state-of-the-art labs and learning space.
With JBU's 4+1 program, you can begin taking master's level classes as an undergraduate and finish both your bachelor's in game design and a master's degree in another program in five years. (You can even finish online once you get a full-time job.)
The game design major is well-equipped to prepare students for their career.
You'll sharpen skills in multiple areas, allowing you to pursue a career in video or tabletop gaming.
Game designers understand the importance of a clean user interface. In the game design major, you'll be taught how to create an excellent interface experience for all users.
Learn more about our other engineering and computer science programs.
Dr. Shanon Vuglar joined the JBU engineering faculty in 2018. He received his B.Tech. (Aeronautical Engineering), B.E. (Electrical Engineering), and M.Sc. (Information Technology) from the University of New South Wales, Canberra, Australia, while serving in the Royal Australian Air Force. On completing his undergraduate degrees, he served as an Engineering Officer, predominantly working in the areas of Information Operations and Communications. In June 2015, he was awarded a Ph.D. (Electrical Engineering) from the University of New South Wales. His doctoral research was in the area of quantum control and considered the physical realizability of quantum systems. Before joining JBU, he held postdoctoral research positions at the University of Melbourne and Princeton University. He has published four journal articles and five peer-reviewed conference papers. Dr. Vuglar values being an active part of a vibrant Christian community and has led prayer and Bible study groups as well as serving on worship teams, playing saxophone and drums. He enjoys running, cycling, mountain biking, and skiing and in July 2018, he successfully completed his first Ironman Triathlon (Lake Placid, NY). He also enjoys playing chess and other board games.
Assistant Professor of Engineering
Dr. Ted Song has been serving as Chief Diversity Officer since 2021. As a presidential cabinet member, he oversees the Office of Diversity and provides leadership in planning and implementing diversity initiatives that foster cultural and systemic improvements. He joined JBU in 2012 as a professor in electrical engineering and has served as Coordinator of Diversity and Chair of the Faculty Affairs Committee. He also serves as Director of Innovation and Chair of the Engineering, Computer Science, and Cybersecurity Departments.
Dr. Song grew up both in the U.S. and Korea and is a CQ® (Cultural Intelligence) certified facilitator. He was an ROTC cadet during his undergraduate studies and served as an Air Defense Artillery Officer in the Republic of Korea Army. He received his Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is currently pursuing a Master of Studies in Law (M.S.L) degree at Samford University, focusing on Higher Education Law and Compliance.
Outside JBU, Dr. Song serves as Vice President of the Christian Engineering Society and Chair of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) Diversity and Inclusion Commission. In addition, he serves as a Peer Reviewer for the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and on the Board of Lifewater International. As a passionate teacher and leader in Christian higher education, he is a proud recipient of the 2012 Texas Exes Teaching Award, the 2018 JBU Faculty Excellence Award, and the 2022 Leading with Excellence Award from Black Action Collective.
Dr. Song and his wife, Michelle, live in Siloam Springs and have three daughters. They are members at Siloam Springs Bible Church (an Evangelical Free Church), where Dr. Song leads the College Ministry and serves as an elder.
Associate Professor of Engineering; Department Chair, Engineering; Chief Diversity Officer; Director of Innovation
Dr. Justus Selwyn holds a Doctorate degree in Computer Science, specializing in Software & Knowledge Engineering. Having served the academia, industry and research in Indian Universities (2001-2021), Justus is now with JBU teaching computer science. His research works are published in various journals, and he has traveled to Germany, Israel, and the USA to present his works at international conferences. Being a software consultant, he has provided software solutions to software companies like Ericson India, PhantomFX, Einel Technologies, and to his previous employer, VIT University.
A passion for music has been in Justus since childhood, which made him grab every opportunity to learn music. After many years of practices, performances, participation and leading church choirs, bands, and groups, he formed a male vocal quartet in 2008 through which he proclaims the love of God and the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Being a certified vocalist, he loves to teach music and singing.
Justus is married to Hepsiba, also a professor at JBU. They have one son, Handel. They all love to serve the Lord through their music ministry in the church and in their community.
Christusem Inachey (But Christ) is his strong faith in all his professions and passions.
Professor of Computer Science
Dr. John Lee joined the Engineering Faculty at John Brown University in the fall of 2018. Dr. Lee received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Oklahoma Christian University in the spring of 2008 and his Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering with an emphasis in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville in the spring of 2018. His doctoral dissertation is in fluid phase separation via nanochannel arrays for space propulsion. During his academic career he was afforded the opportunity to participate in numerous internships, including a research experience for undergraduates at the University of Arkansas, process engineering at Eaton Corporation, and a dynamics lab at Los Alamos National Labs. While finishing his dissertation research, he worked for WattGlass, a solar panel coating start-up at the University of Arkansas Engineering Research Center.
Dr. Lee and his wife, Nicole, enjoy spending time with their wonderful daughter, Zoey, and amazing son, Zane. They enjoy traveling as a family and experiencing other cultures, cuisines, and foreign landscapes. In his free time, Dr. Lee enjoys sporting events, golf, and woodworking. He and his family are members at Cross Church, Fayetteville.
Assistant Professor of Engineering
After earning her B.S.E. in Early Childhood Education from John Brown University in 2007, Kim spent five years teaching in the classroom followed by several years of teaching and coaching virtually. She received her Master of Educational Technology degree from Boise State University in 2015. Kim joined the ATLAS team in January of 2016 as an instructional designer. In addition to instructional design, areas of interest include online and blended learning, multimedia, and esports. Kim is a Google Certified Educator, and she is a doctoral candidate in educational technology at Boise State University.
Adjunct Instructor, Interdisciplinary Studies
Instructional Designer, Office for the Advancement of Teaching, Learning and Scholarship
Mrs. Kimberly Cornett has been teaching with the Engineering Department since 2015. She received her B.S.E with concentration in Electrical Engineering from John Brown University in 2007 and earned her MSEE from the University of Arkansas in 2009. Her Master’s research was integrated circuit design for extreme environment applications in Space and on surface of the Moon and Mars. Some of the circuits she worked on orbited with the International Space Station. She then worked for Texas Instruments as a Servo Systems Engineer for 3.5 years developing application-specific integrated circuits for the hard disk drive industry. These experiences developed her special interests in circuit design and verification as well as project management. Mrs. Cornett has served as the Counselor for the JBU Chapter of the Society of Women Engineers and loves to encourage young girls to pursue STEM careers.
Mrs. Cornett and her husband Nick Cornett (JBU Graduate Counseling Faculty) returned to Siloam Springs in 2012. They have one daughter and two sons. They are active in the local church and Bible study groups. She enjoys spending time with family, baking, sewing, woodworking, running, hiking, biking, and spectating various sports.
Instructor of Engineering
With his philological interests, Dr. Jonathan Himes has taught Intro to Linguistics, Advanced Grammar, Anglo-Saxon (language lab for a Beowulf course), and Latin (independent studies) at JBU. In his Composition course, he takes freshmen on field trips to the Buffalo River for research on the Ozarks culture. His courses for English majors include Medieval Literature, World Literature 1 (Antiquity to Renaissance), and a C. S. Lewis & Inklings course. Dr. Himes also enjoys supervising the tutoring practicum for English majors. In his spare time, he plays racquetball, goes hunting, and enjoys family hikes with his wife Amanda (the other Dr. Himes) and their children Logan, Audrey, and Elinor.
Professor of English; Director of the Writing Center
Dr. Tim Gilmour joined the engineering faculty in August of 2012. Dr. Gilmour received his B.S.E.E. from Cedarville University in 2003, his M.S.E.E. from Penn State University in 2005, and his Ph.D. from Penn State University in 2012. For his masters' research he tested different signal processing methods for brain-computer interfaces. For his doctoral research he applied signal processing to examine the effects of cell transplants on brain electrical activity in Parkinson's Disease. He has published four journal papers and presented seven conference abstracts. In his free time he enjoys spending time with friends, reading, hiking, music, playing Frisbee and Ping-Pong, learning about other cultures, and spreading the good news about Jesus Christ.
Associate Professor of Engineering
Chaz Miller is from Fayetteville, Ark. and is an assistant professor of mechanical engineering. He will be defending his doctoral dissertation in the fall of 2022.
He lives in Fayetteville with his wife, Valeria, live in Fayetteville with their 2-year old Australian Shepherd, Hudson. He enjoys golf, fishing and playing board games.
Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
JBU offers a variety of minors related to the engineering, computer science and cybersecurity fields.
Equip yourself for a successful career and a life of purpose.
JBU does not unlawfully discriminate based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, military status, or age in the administration of its educational policies, admissions, financial aid, employment, educational programs, or activities.
John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked regional university (U.S. News Best Colleges 2019), JBU enrolls more than 2,100 students from 38 states and 53 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers 41 majors, with top programs including engineering, nursing, family and human services, biology, graphic design and construction management.