HONORING RETIRING FACULTY

British author and sociologist Harriet Martineau wrote, “What office is there which involves more responsibility, which requires more qualifications, and which ought, therefore, to be more honorable, than that of teaching?” Here, we honor the faculty who have collectively spent 91 years bestowing their knowledge and experience on hundreds of students. Alumni regularly tell their family and friends about the eternal impact these instructors made on their lives. Yes, the curriculum is necessary, but these faculty have truly fulfilled the mission of Northwestern “to provide Christ-centered higher education equipping students to grow intellectually and spiritually, to serve effectively in their professions, and to give God-honoring leadership in the home, church, community and world.” The community of Northwestern is forever grateful that they answered God’s call to invest in this generation of learners and leaders.

Ron Ginn

31 Years at Northwestern

Ron Ginn’s professional involvements at the University of Northwestern include Chairing the Interdisciplinary Studies Program and teaching in the School of Education. He taught Educational Foundations, Education Ethics, Human Relations in a Cross-Culturally Diverse World, Seminar in Professional Issues, and Professional Competency Assessment. Ron received Northwestern’s Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2018. He is an alumnus of Northwestern (B.S.’90), and earned his graduate degrees from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota (M.A. ’08), and Northcentral University, Arizona (Ph.D. ’16).

“Dr. Ron Ginn has made an immeasurable impact within our UNW School of Education community through the years. I will always be thankful for Ron’s faithful service, his student-centered nature, his ability to foster and nurture relationships, his drive for excellence, and his commitment to Christ-centered education.” –Lara Brunson, assistant dean & associate professor, School of Education

Doreen Hutchings

23 Years at Northwestern

Doreen Hutchings, a member of the UNW Music faculty since 1999, taught Voice, voice-related subjects, and directed the UNW Opera Workshop program. Doreen has extensive opera-related directing credits including in 2006, when she directed the premiere of former music faculty member Barbara Rogers’ opera Ruth, which was composed specifically for the Northwestern College opera workshop, orchestra, and choir.

She founded the Academy of Music Vivace Voices Youth Choir, directed an annual Show Choir Camp at UNW, and was the vocal director for the UNW Theatre Department’s musicals. Hutchings also taught Voice for the Academy of Music while maintaining a private vocal studio off campus.

“Professor Hutchings has an eye for the details and can articulate them with kindness and love. She does such an amazing job at creating an open and loving [environment]. She encourages us and builds up our confidence. She models Christ-like behavior for all of us, and it trickles down into how we treat each other.” –Former Student

Mark Muska

37 Years at Northwestern

Muska taught Old/New Testament and theology courses at University of Northwestern since 1989. He co-led numerous study trips to Israel, Turkey, and Greece. On these trips, Northwestern students had the amazing experience of seeing Biblical sites in person while earning Bible credits to fulfill their curriculum requirements.

He served as Chair of the Biblical & Theological Studies department from 1998–2003, and President of the Faculty Senate in 2012–2014. Professor Muska received Northwestern’s Teacher of the Year award in 1995, 2010, and 2016.

Muska appears regularly on the “Ask the Professor” live call-in show on Northwestern Media's Faith Radio. He is active in various ministries, such as serving as a volunteer with Prison Fellowship, teaching theology in Lebanon, and preaching at local churches.

“Throughout my years of working with Mark, I have been aware of his deep care for students and his strong commitment to Biblical truth. His service at Northwestern has been consistent, committed, and varied. Mark’s impact will continue to be felt in the church for many years to come because of his investment in the lives of students here at Northwestern. Mark, thank you for your dedicated service to Northwestern, your joy in ministry, your faithful use of the gifts that God has given you.”

–Susan

Johnson, dean of the College of Professional Studies