THE RECORD Online

Spring 2004

News Briefs

Stampfli Named Bösendorfer Educational Artist

Afficionados around the world hail Bösendorfer as one of the instrument 's premier manufacturers. So it was quite an honor whenthe Viennese-based company named G.C.music professor Tom Stampfli a Bösendorfer educational artist. In a communication from their U.S.Director of Institutional Programs, Stampfli achieved this distinction because he represents “a new generation of artist; a generation that is committed equally to performance and music education.”

Stampfli believes one of the intangibles the honor affords is giving students a look at what a professional pianist can achieve without being world famous.

“It offers a student the understanding that involvement in the profession gets your name out there and when that happens, you get opportunities to do these kinds of things,” he said.

Citing the stereotypes that can occur within his own profession, Stampfli 's belief comes from experience.

“One of the most common of these myths is that unless you 're in a big university, you 'll be in a professional backwater and opportunities for publication and performance just won 't be there. However, I've found that my own active participation and willingness to work in the profession has proven that wrong.”

Ever mindful of the One he serves, Stampfli is quick to give God the credit for the award. “I certainly see His grace in this honor.”

Common Day of Learning

This spring Greenville College seniors took over campus for the first annual Common Day of Learning, a day given over to senior presentations centered on a common theme. Seniors,working in diversified small groups, were required to integrate their disciplines and present a response to this year 's multi-dimensional real world issue, Human Sexuality. Some of the titles of this year 's senior projects included: Controlling My Ovaries:The Pill and Its Controversy, Sex in Your City, Gender Roles within Different Religious Constructs, and The Effects of Aids on Pop Culture and Vice Versa. Faculty,staff and students attended sessions through the day,beginning with a brief Convocation led by President Mannoia.

The Common Day of Learning served as a culmination of the COR 401 Senior Capstone Seminar course, which began with a senior retreat in the fall and continued throughout the year with Saturday classes led by President Mannoia and faculty in various fields. Course discussion topics included false intimacy, homosexuality,and gender differences.

Three Faculty Retire from Service to Greenville

Hugh Siefken

For over 35 years, Physics Professor Dr.Hugh Siefken has pursued his passion for teaching at Greenville College. This spring, Dr. Siefken made the decision to retire.

Under Dr.Siefken 's leadership, the physics department has compiled a long and distinguished record of accomplishment; 20 students currently major in physics or physics education. Part of the reason for the department 's success is his consistent encouragement of students' involvement in undergraduate research.

Siefken states,“I am extremely proud of the accomplishments of the students that I have been fortunate enough to teach.”

Dr.Siefken is also the “resident expert” in building and repairing lab equipment, including his supervision in the construction of an ion accelerator and the GC Observatory.

GC extends a hearty thank you to Dr.Siefken for all his dedication and service.

Don Sheriff

A graduate of Greenville College in 1961, with a degree in Modern Languages, Don Sheriff never imagined his life coming full circle back to Greenville.

Sheriff came back to the college in 1967 to teach French and business, later receiving his master's in international management.

“I never expected to come back, but I wanted to go to a Christian college to teach,” said Sheriff.

The impact the college made on his life drew him back. “I found fellowship with other Christians from other places to be inspiring, invigorating and helped me grow.I wanted to be in a place where that happened to other students. I saw myself as being a person who liked to teach and I felt called to do it,” said Sheriff.

Greenville College has been an environment that has grown and stretched Sheriff spiritually as well as intellectually. He enjoys the opportunities of a learning environment.

“One of the things you get to do is constantly learn. I've always thought of myself as a utility infieder, filling in where there was a need. I've taught all kinds of courses in the business area, where I had to develop expertise.”

Teaching French, one of his greatest challenges, gave Sheriff the opportunity to generate student excitement. “I try to help them see the practicality of it and the enjoyable aspects within their own life. They are learning a different culture,different ways of living,and how language affects our ways of thinking. We're all prisoners of our own language if we only know one,” said Sheriff.

Norm Swanson

Most people think that their goal in life is to get an education, get a job, and retire. It's a consumer mentality. I try to help them think of themselves as a resource manager,” says business professor Norm Swanson.

A 1971Greenville College graduate and licensed broker, Swanson has served the college in various capacities, including director of Financial Aid and director of Admissions, before becoming a Business professor in 1991. However,Swanson 's entrepreneurial attitude and hands on approach sets him apart.

“I don 't see myself as a teacher. I see myself as a business person. I've been an entrepreneur all my life,” says Swanson.

He takes his students on business tours, to annual meetings at corporations, and is a favorite among students for his role in Norm and the Nomads, a barbershop quintet. For him, stretching his students is the most rewarding part of teaching.

“It's about disciplining students to think outside their American culture. I teach them stewardship. To think of something bigger than themselves,” said Swanson.

His strength as a futurist has paid off in a solid investment strategy, but he wanted to bless the kingdom of God, which led him back to Greenville College after a successful business career. “We will give away a million on the way to saving one million. It's a lot of work and a lot of fun and the Lord has blessed us with joy, happiness, and peace.”

New Faculty

Dr.Darrell Iler assumed the role of Chemistry Department chair this spring. Dr.Iler graduated from GC in 1977, with a degree in Biology, and completed his Ph.D.in Physical Polymer Chemistry from Virginia Tech in 1995.Prior to his return to Greenville, he served as a chemistry professor at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisburg,VA. Dr.Iler currently teaches General Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis. He holds several patents and has published articles about polymer chemistry.

Dr.George Peters recently joined the college as assistant professor of Mathematics. A 1992 alum of Greenville College, Dr.Peters received his Ph.D. from Iowa State in 1997. Most recently he worked on the Global Positioning Satellite with Lockheed Martin. He worked on engineering and testing for the next ground control system. Dr.Peters currently teaches Calculus II, Linear Algebra and Applied Math.

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Last updated: August 2, 2004