Greenville College Annual Report 2000-2001

Campus Profiles

Campus Strengths and Strategy Attract New Dean

After teaching college courses for 11 years, Dr. Randy Bergen was persuaded to make a career change. Now, Bergen the new dean of instruction at Greenville College has a significant task in front of him: to oversee numerous aspects of academia at GC.

“So far, it has been busy,” said Bergen. “Though I don’t feel like I am spinning every time I close my eyes, I do feel like I am on a steep slide that is getting increasingly steep as I slide down it.”

Since 1990, Bergen was a professor and associate professor at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Penn. He has also served as a consultant for numerous businesses in the Pittsburgh area. And in 1999, he was appointed co-director of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) Comprehensive Assessment Project. Through his work with the CCCU, he came to know Karen Longman, vice president for academic affairs at GC.

“She is a great friend, and I knew that working with her would be an adventure,” said Bergen. “Also, she called me and e-mailed me quite a bit to get me to consider the position.” But it wasn’t just Longman’s persistence that attracted Bergen to GC.

“I was thoroughly impressed with the campus academic and overall leadership,” he said, noting that President V. James Mannoia and Longman “have clear vision” about the direction of the institution.

“The campus has worked hard to specify a strategic plan,” he said. “It’s a plan I strongly agree with. I am committed to working in a Christian liberal arts environment, and GC has that strong commitment.

“The college also has a strong commitment to providing students with cross-cultural experiences and increasing diversity. These are goals I am also committed to.”

Bergen said he was also impressed with the college’s emphasis on technology – particularly the wireless Internet network and the effort to get students to purchase laptop computers.

And he came because of relationships he formed while a student himself at GC almost 20 years ago. Bergen said he developed friendships with Dr. Brad Shaw, Dr. Jim Zahniser and Dr. Craig Boyd – who are all professors at GC now.

“It is a warm community to return to,” said Bergen.

He has been charged with overseeing the college faculty loads, adjunct faculty, the implementation of the core curriculum, the Honors Program and the Academic Enrichment Center.

His short-term goal is “to get good at my job,” he said. “I am trying to get to know all the faculty, learn what they think the campus strengths and weaknesses are, and cope with daily ‘fires’ that need to be put out.”

Bergen has also outlined some long-term goals:

• “To strengthen existing majors;
• “To ensure that instruction on the campus remains strong and becomes even more innovative;
• “And to devote to professional development and scholarship.”

Bergen said he has been most impressed with both the GC faculty and their students. Regarding the faculty, he said, “I am overwhelmed by how hard they work and how much they are committed to students and the college. They are the hardest working faculty that I have been around. They bring great personal resources and training to the campus.

“I have never seen faculty more committed to working with students as individuals and making sure each has a good education here.”

And the students?

“I am impressed by how engaged students are in challenging professors. I have been surprised by just how thoughtful students have been in my interactions with them. I am also impressed by how they are willing to ask hard questions of faculty.

“They are good critical thinkers. It is wonderful to be around students who are willing to be active in their education process.”

Overall, Bergen said one of the greatest strengths of the college is the strong sense of community that encompasses the campus.

“People like each other,” he said. “Students are invited into the homes of faculty and staff. It’s a little too strong to say this, but it is almost like working on the set of the ‘Andy Griffith Show,’ because we live in a small community where everyone knows everyone, and the community is supportive.”

Last updated: January 16, 2002