NCU says farewell to three retirees

Amy Anderson, Greg Hayton, Jerilyn Bach

Rev. Amy Anderson, Ph.D.

College of Church Leadership

we “do church”). Articles: Many articles, mainly in the area of textual criticism. Accomplishments: Founded the Center for Ancient Texts and Languages and the Biblical Literacy Project. Personal: Adopted a 16-year-old daughter (who is now 31!). Now I am a grandmother to an 11-yearold grandson, and possibly soon another boy whom my daughter is hoping to adopt.

FAVORITE CLASS(ES) TO TEACH

I like them all for different reasons! The classes that had the biggest impact were New Testament History & Literature and Reading & Interpreting Scripture. Also, my Topics course on Paleography and Textual Criticism, Community of Worship and Prayer, and Reaching Postmodern Culture.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT TEACHING?

Seeing light bulbs go on. Watching a group of students move from no understanding of Greek to loving the language and deciding to go on and do a major or minor. Challenging talented students to produce outstanding work and helping struggling students succeed. Hearing from graduates how something they learned in one of my classes has helped them in life or ministry.

MOST MEMORABLE NCU MOMENTS

Preaching in chapel; a time in chapel when the Holy Spirit took over during prayer and I managed to facilitate it; taking students to Birmingham, England, for the Colloquium; and a semester of biweekly meetings with colleagues on the topic of increasing critical thinking skills in our students.

WHEN DID YOU START TEACHING?

August 1999, but I worked in the North Central mailroom before that, during the 1983–84 school year.

JOB TITLES AND ROLES

Professor of Ancient Greek and New Testament; Advisor for Society of Bible and Theology, and Theta Alpha Kappa (student groups); Advisor for the Biblical Studies Society (alumni group); NCU representative and organizer for the 2020 Undergraduate Bible and Theology Conference; Committees: Faculty Affairs, Faculty Development, Promotion Committee; Faculty Marshal.

PUBLICATIONS OR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Books: “The Textual Tradition of the Gospels: Family 1 in Matthew” (a re-working of my dissertation); “When You Come Together: Challenging the Church to an Interactive Relationship with God” (which I hope will change how WHAT WILL YOU MISS ABOUT NCU?

My students! (In the classroom, in the hall, in my office, at my home.) I will also miss the committee work when we did things that really made a difference.

WHAT WILL RETIREMENT LOOK LIKE?

It doesn’t look like I’m going to have many relaxed days for a while. I hope to spend more time on research (I have already been invited to write a commentary on Timothy/ Titus and a chapter for the Oxford Handbook on Textual Criticism). I’ll be expanding the Biblical Literacy Project, which brings college- level Bible teaching into churches and groups—including a trip to Europe in 2022 to teach student leaders and missionaries. I have begun to write a primer on ancient Greek palaeography and am working on the text of Family 1 in Luke—further development of my dissertation. I also want to spend more time with my grandsons and in my garden.

ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FOR STUDENTS?

Don’t cut corners, either because you feel an urgency to get out there and change the world, or because you don’t see the value of education and just want to move on to a career. What you invest now will bear fruit the rest of your life, and you won’t have a chance to come back to this phase later. Going for excellence now will set the stage for the future. Put away the electronics and spend time with real people and real books and nature. Be truly Pentecostal in your faith life and leadership—in other words, be guided by the Spirit instead of patterns set by others.

Greg Hayton, M.S.

School of Education

WHEN DID YOU START TEACHING?

I started at North Central in 1997, first on staff and then joined the faculty in 2009.

JOB TITLES AND ROLES

I was Athletics Director from 1997 to 2009, and Associate Professor in the School of Education from 2009 until today. Other roles included edTPA Coordinator and NCAA/UMAC Faculty Athletics Representative. PUBLICATIONS OR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Serving as President of the former Northern Athletic Conference and the Chair for our NCCAA region, and also guiding NCU’s move into the NCAA Division III and the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC). Seeing the athletics program grow from four sports to 14 before I moved into a faculty role. Bringing a Coaching Certification program to NCU and writing the initial program of study for the Sports Management major.

FAVORITE CLASS(ES) TO TEACH

Methods of Middle School Social Studies, Methods of Elementary Science, Coaching Certification, Drugs Health Education, American History, World History, Intro to Political Science, and Student Teaching Seminar.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT TEACHING?

I love teaching and getting students to like a subject they thought they disliked and getting them to think critically and analyze deeply. I love the idea that I am preparing students to enter the classroom as teachers who will impact many students during their careers.

MOST MEMORABLE NCU MOMENTS

Coaching national championship cross-country teams and All-American runners and track & field competitors. Watching NCU teams win NCCAA regional championships and advance to the national tournaments. Talks in my office about life with so many students, and of course, many great moments in chapel.

WHAT WILL YOU MISS ABOUT NCU?

I will miss my colleagues and students—the friendships with them that are real, deep, and meaningful.

WHAT WILL RETIREMENT LOOK LIKE?

Next up for me is time to travel with my wife! I plan to coach high school track in Osceola, Wisconsin, (my current home) and be a teachers’ assistant in Osceola schools. Of course, I’ll spend time with my grandchildren, and serve in ministry alongside my son in a church plant in Osceola. I’m hoping for lots of trips to the Boundary Waters in Ely, Minnesota, and trips to our new cabin in Minocqua, Wisconsin.

ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FOR STUDENTS?

Love God, love people, and work hard, giving your best effort and then really trusting the Lord. God has blessed me with an amazing life and career. He didn’t ask me to be the best; He simply asked me to give my best effort, then with His multiplication, good things have happened.

Jerilyn Bach, M.Ed.

School of Education, Academic Affairs

WHEN DID YOU START AT NCU?

I started at North Central in 1981, first on staff and then joined the full-time faculty in 1994.

JOB TITLES AND ROLES

Secretary/Administrative Assistant in the Development Office (1981–84); adjunct faculty teaching early childhood education courses (1987 and 1994); full-time faculty in Elementary Education (1994–2015); part-time Director of Instructional Development (2015–present).

FAVORITE CLASS(ES) TO TEACH

Methods of Social Studies, Introduction to Education, and General Teaching Methods.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT TEACHING?

I enjoyed my role as clinical and student-teaching supervisor, and I especially liked advising students.

MOST MEMORABLE NCU MOMENTS

affairs in class provided meaningful teaching opportunities, such as the deaths of Mother Teresa and Princess Diana in the same week in 1997.

WHAT WILL YOU MISS ABOUT NCU?

It sounds cliché to say “the people,” but I know that for me, it is the truth. We have had so many people of excellence come through the NCU doors these last 40 years, and I already miss many of those who are gone. The present group of new faculty has amazed me with their passion and expertise in their fields. Although I will miss the connection with them, I look forward to hearing about their accomplishments.

WHAT WILL RETIREMENT LOOK LIKE?

My husband, Larry (Dean of the College of Fine Arts), and I hope to travel some, and I will probably do some mentoring and writing as I head into retirement and wait for Larry's retirement next year. However, four months ago I had the opportunity to start a very rewarding job. My friends told me that I’d like it, but it is even more fulfilling than I had anticipated. Since I am new on the job, I am still working on the position’s skill set but I am confident that I will get the hang of being grandmother to Louis (Louie) Bach. He will, without a doubt, get the primary attention of this next phase.

ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FOR STUDENTS?

Your lives are drastically different from those of your parents and grandparents. The often-quoted verse, “Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Heb 13:8) can lose some applicability when read alone. However, when read in the context of the entire chapter, it may help when you are confused by our culture’s ever-changing speculations about what is the truth, the Church, and what is relevant to today’s society.

Send a word of congratulations or thanks to Dr. Amy, Greg, or Jerilyn:

academicaffairs@northcentral.edu or

Academic Affairs North Central University 910 Elliot Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55404 We will forward your message to the appropriate retiree.

Corporate sponsors, 1930 Society provide valuable support

The NCU Fund provides the backbone of needed support for student scholarships. NCU corporate sponsors and members of the 1930 Society play a key role in keeping the fund strong. North Central University thanks the organizations and individuals listed here for their continued support. To learn more or become a sponsor or member, visit

northcentral.edu/give. Presenting Sponsor President’s Circle

IAG Commerical Real Estate

McGough DLR Group

University Partners Welsh Construction

Wexford Commercial Construction

1930 Society Members

Vern & Judy Anderson Kevin & Song Anfinson Kwame Anku Don & Pat Argue Larry & Jerilyn Bach Dennis & Beverly Batty Tom & Robin Bergum James & Heather Biffert Ron & Dorene Bontrager Terrance & Julie Boynton George & Alexandra Carr Martin Chorzempa Austin & Jennifer Colby David & Linda Collins Erik & Mandy Cooper Mark & Eliza Corbin Irene Cramer Reggie & Michelle Dabbs John & Diane Davis Mark & Barb Dean Andrew & Linda Denton Jeff & Martha Deyo Walter & Peggy Dunston Salvatore & Elizabeth Farina Steven & Tabetha Finton Brady Forseth Paul & Kim Freitag Todd & Mary Furry Rob & Susan Gales Donald & Diane Gifford Doug & Victoria Graham Greg & Marty Grandits Larry & Coleen Griswold Gary & Bonnie Grogan Madison & Marlene Groves Patrick & Joette Guire Scott & Karen Hagan Erica Hanson Victor & Janet Hedman Jim & Jennell Henderson Eric & Liz Hoffman John Hollen Ruthie Huisinga-Meyering Paul & Candace Hurckman Tom & Lori Jacobs Elissa Johnson Beverly Johnston Barry & Tami Jorris Rick & Katherine Ketterling Rob & Becca Ketterling Ryan & Andrea Kingsriter Michael & Mallory Knipe Jeffrey & Maxine LaFavre Roger & Ann Lane Greg & Hillary Leeper Rich & Diane Lemberg Lance & Desiree Libengood Jeff & Crystal Liechty Jon & Elsie Liechty Si & Martha Liechty Gordy & Carol Lund Micah & Stephanie MacDonald Elise Manouelian Quodavis Marshall Todd & Brenda Marshall Nicholas Martin Wayne & Peggy Matthews Randy & Susan McPherson Don Meyering Lowell & Lynn Nystrom Jac & Bonnie Perrin Miles & Mary Peterson Scott & Whitney Peterson Carmon Proctor Trent & Melinda Redmann Evan Regenstreif R Brad & Beth Riley Jordan & Aimee Robertson Sandra Robertson Nate & Jodi Ruch Larry & Nancy Russell Shawn & Kerry Sauve Miller Schafer Stephen & Rachel Schaible Suzanne Schillmoeller Phillip & Renee Schneider Michael & MonaRe Shields Adam & Stacy Sikorski Jon & Carolyn Silvester Ryan & Rachel Skoog Karen Stone Dick & Kristi Strassburg William & Rosemary Svoboda Steve & Denise Tebbs D Allen & Rhonda Tennison Winston & Candyce Titus Bradley & Rhonda Trask Thomas & Shirley Trask Marty & Sheryl Turner Justin & Jessica Vanman Richard & Judy Vanman Kent & Trudy Wells Bruce Wheeler Rich & Robyn Wilkerson Jeremy & Brianna Williamson Robert & Connie Wine Christopher Woelfle Kate Yurko Jim & Nancy Zugschwert

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Join us for Homecoming!

Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021

northcentral.edu/homecoming