Emeritus Faculty

faculty RECOGNITION

Emeritus Faculty

The honorary title of emeritus may be awarded by the Board of Trustees to retiring faculty in recognition of outstanding service to Friends University and its students. Faculty must have served at least 10 years in a full-time capacity. This year, six faculty members are receiving the emeritus distinction.

Bill Allan, associate professor of family life, began teaching at Friends in 1980. He served as the Academic Dean for approximately three years and led the Human Services Psychology majors. He was dedicated to social service agencies in the community and around the world and as a mentor to students, peers and colleagues.

Dr. Christian Kettler, professor of theology and religion, began teaching at Friends in 1987 and served as the program director for the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry from 2002 to 2015. He published numerous books and was named the recipient of the 1999 W.A. Young Award for Excellence in Teaching and the 2018 St. John of Damascus Award for cultural renewal by the Eighth Day Institute.

Toni Libhart, assistant professor of music, academic recruitment coordinator and 2017-18 Assistant Division Chair of Fine Arts, began teaching at Friends in 1995. She taught music theory and aural skills, piano class, applied percussion and percussion ensemble. She played as an alternate percussionist with the Wichita Symphony Orchestra and performed solos with the Friends University Band, Chamber Orchestra and Percussion Ensemble.

Charles Parker, director of theatre, began teaching at Friends in 1989 until his retirement in 2016. He taught theatre courses, directed university theatre productions, conducted workshops on playwriting, acting, voice and speech training, and remains an adjunct professor. Parker is the 2008 recipient of the Mary Jane Teall Educator of the Year Award and was inducted into the Mary Jane Teall Awards Hall of Fame.

Bill Allan

Dr. Christian Kettler

Toni Lynn Absher Libhart