Two selected for endowed professorships

Dr. Michael Andres, associate professor of religion, and Dr. Laurie Daily, assistant professor of education, have been appointed by the Northwestern College Board of Trustees to endowed professorships beginning in the 2010–2011 school year.

The endowed chairs provide annual funds to support the recipients’ scholarly work, which can be used for research, the purchase of equipment or materials, travel to pursue research, or assistance to student researchers. Criteria for the appointments include having a distinguished record as an outstanding teacher; being  recognized for scholarly and leadership contributions to their discipline; having provided exemplary service to the department, Northwestern and the larger community; and having demonstrated a commitment to the college’s mission.

Andres has been appointed to the Marvin and Jerene DeWitt Endowed Religion Professorship. A member of Northwestern’s faculty since 1998, Andres teaches systematic theology, philosophical theology, Calvin and Calvinism, and Christian witness. He earned a doctorate in philosophy of religion at King’s College, University of London, and a master’s degree in theological studies from Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Miss. A former member of the Commission on Theology for the Reformed Church in America, he is currently working on a book on holistic Christian witness that integrates evangelism, apologetics and justice. 

Daily has been appointed to the James and Margaret Blekkink Endowed Education Professorship. A full-time member of Northwestern’s education faculty since 2005, Daily previously directed a field-based special education teacher training program in New Hampshire and participated in the development of professional standards for teachers with the New Hampshire Department of Education. She also coordinated the special education program at Plymouth State College. Daily earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Argosy University and a master’s degree in special education from the University of North Carolina.

The endowed chair appointments are for a five-year period and made with recommendations from the Faculty Status Committee, the dean of the faculty, the provost and the president. The DeWitt Professorship was most recently held by Dr. Jackie Smallbones. The Blekkink Professorship was held by Dr. Ron Juffer.