The “Why” Dr. Robert Knowles
Vice President for Advancement I don’t remember a lot of content from that high school history class, but one tool I have used many times is the “5WH” formula my teacher shared one day – Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How. It has helped me prepare sermons, assess situations, and make important decisions. Let me focus on what I believe goes beyond just fact finding, it is the “why” question. To explore that question takes more time and thought. I remember my first summer in ministry. I was sitting at our staff lunch with a seasoned pastoral veteran, Rev. Lew Farrell and my friend Kevin Vincent (’87). We were the ministry team with Lew being the pastor and Kevin and I serving as student pastors. As we walked out of the restaurant after the meeting, Lew looked at me with laser focus and asked me the “why” question. “Why are you going into the ministry?” That was 34 years ago; you’d think I would have long since forgotten it. But I had to face the question head on. It wasn’t about a summer job or entertaining kids or earning money to go back to Atlantic Baptist College. This was a piercing question. It was the question.
various stages of life and countries of the world. We believe God can and will change them in the context of this community. The original vision has been multiplied. The impact is felt worldwide as students are transformed, then as alumni they go to serve in various fields of influence. I am so glad my main takeaway from a high school history class was more than just a few facts. It was a set of questions that I’ve used in my life for decades. In particular, that one question, “why” gets me up in the morning and has defined my life’s calling. I have a “ringside seat” to see students’ lives being changed before my very eyes. Thank you for considering that “why” when you support Crandall University. The answer is life transformation for students.
I have come back to it over and over. I still do … often. Why work at Crandall University? Why is there a Crandall University? I think my grandfather, Dr. Myron Brinton, and the other founders of the institution launched a dream of having a school where young people could be transformed and the dream has been, and is still being, realized. It’s more than being like every other university. Sure Crandall University has professors, athletic teams, classes, and degrees. But we are after something deeper and richer. We operate under the Lordship of Christ (Colossians 1:18b) as a multi-skilled team of Christfollowers to teach, influence, and mentor students from
Dr. Robert Knowles (’89) has served as Vice President for Advancement since 2012. He is married to Crystal (Huxter) (’92, ’16), and they are parents of three Crandall graduates and one current student.
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