download the latest copy of the CCU magazine - Cincinnati ...

cincinnati christian university
momentum 2013
Judy Pratt
Dean of the College of
Adult Learning
judy.pratt@CCUniversity.edu
MOMENTUM
INTERRUPTED
A great seminary
Dr. David Ray
Dean of the Seminary
david.ray@CCUniversity.edu
“ A
great
Adult students have found a home in the College of Adult Learning. Connecting
with like-minded adults, they are not alone in seeking to change careers or answering
the call of God for ministry (after years of running) or finishing a degree
that was interrupted by life issues or starting a degree at an “advanced” age.
Each student has a story, a dream that motivates
them to reach for that second chance to earn a
Bachelor’s degree. The stories are as different
as each person sharing them, but they are all
drawn to the biblical foundation upon which all
our degrees are based. The curriculum for the
Christian Ministries or Business Management
degrees prepares
students to develop
the necessary skills and
educational foundation
to lead in our everchanging
world. Some
students come with life
experiences that help
them focus on the goal
of ministering in their church, community, or
in local business, while others are preparing
to start ministries or businesses that meet the
needs of hurting people.
Adult students appreciate the value of their
education. Yes, it costs them money, but it also
costs them in sacrifices of precious time spent
with family and friends and sometimes even
with the church family. For a period of time
they scale back on commitments to other good
aspects of their lives so they can focus on their
commitment to education.
Each student has a story,
a dream that motivates
them to reach for that
second chance to earn a
bachelor’s degree.
A TRIBUTE TO JUDY PRATT
The accelerated format—classes meet for 4
hours 1 night a week—allows for flexibility of
juggling work, family, personal responsibilities,
and involvement in the local church. While the
year-round course schedule can be grueling, the
graduation celebrations
each May reflect the
gratitude, satisfaction
and complete joy
expressed by each
graduate. Our graduates
are surrounded by family
and friends who have
supported them along
the way—children, parents, grandchildren,
siblings, pastors, co-workers—electrifying the
room with excitement for the accomplishment
and the anticipation of the next step God has
in store. Their second-chance dream is now
aligned with God’s dream.
Do you need a second chance?
To learn more about the College of Adult
Learning, go to www.CCUniversity.edu/adult.
by Byron Williams
Associate Dean of the College of Adult Learning
“
seminary is marked by
great people. It’s not about the
place (though our seminary is a
great place, with a main campus offering
a breath-taking view of the city); it’s
about the people. In his book, Good to
Great, Jim Collins writes:
“
GREAT VISION
WITHOUT GREAT
PEOPLE IS
IRRELEVANT.
“
Let me tell you about some people who
make our seminary great. A number
are no longer with us, but borrowing
from Hebrews 11:4, though dead, they
still speak to us through their example
of faith. Many could be mentioned,
but one great example is Dr. Joe S. Ellis.
The biography posted on Ellis’ website
begins: “Born 1928 and grew up in
Sullivan, Indiana.” But what follows
marked him most: “Became a disciple
of Jesus at age 17.” * All of the greatest
teachers live out their lives as great disciples.
Though Joe Ellis died in May, 2013, he
still speaks. Preacher, scholar, writer,
professor, administrator, innovator,
lecturer, consultant, friend, he authored
seven books on evangelism and church
growth. Long before Rick Warren’s
Purpose Driven Life, Dr. Ellis published
his seminal work, The Church on Purpose,
printed in eight editions and translated
into multiple languages. Climaxing
a distinguished career, he joined our
seminary faculty in 1978, serving as
Dean, Professor of Church Growth, and
(after 1990) Distinguished Professor of
Practical Ministries. Dr. Ellis was a great
teacher and thinker, but those who
knew him best might say that, even
more, he was a great person. And great
people are what make a great seminary.
After over 35 years of pastoral ministry
and two years teaching in the college,
I’m now personally excited to move into
the seminary as a new faculty member
and Academic Dean. May God use all
our lives—past and present—to keep
making this seminary great!
CURRENT ACTIVE FACULTY MEMBERS WHO, THROUGH EXTENDED
TENURES, MARK THE SEMINARY WITH THEIR GREAT LIVES:
Seminary
c u r r e n t
&
innovative
Offering both Master of Divinity
(MDiv) and Master of Arts in
Religion (MAR) degrees in a
variety of concentrations and
specializations designed to
meet the diverse needs of
ministry today.
For seminary students engaged
in ministry, other employment,
or distant from our main
campus, innovative ways to
make graduate study possible,
with classes offered through
more traditional and nontraditional
formats:
• One-day-a-week BLOCK
class format through
15-week semester.
• ONE-WEEK INTENSIVE
classes, typically Monday
through Friday, morning till
early evening.
• 2-2-2 or 3-3 class schedules,
meeting three times for two
full days, or three full days for
two times during a semester.
• ONE NIGHT A WEEK
CONCENTRATED class
format for the MAR (Pastoral
Leadership).
• Select classes FULLY
ONLINE or HYBRID (a
combination of online and
campus instruction).
• FULLY ON LINE DEGREES
are under active
development.
Judy Pratt began her long relationship with Cincinnati
Christian University 35 years ago. She has served in a
variety of staff roles with distinction.
While serving as a student worker, Judy first earned
her Associates Degree in 2 ½ years. She continued her
studies as a non-traditional student. To help pay for
her schooling Judy worked full-time for CCU, taking
one class per semester. After 15 years she completed
her Bachelor’s degree, and 9 years later she earned her
Master’s degree using the same format.
It seems fitting that Judy should now serve our nontraditional
students as Dean of the College of Adult
Learning (CAL). Given her own education experiences,
Judy is able to empathize with the struggles of our adult
students while encouraging them to strive for excellence
through hard work and perseverance. Judy’s love for
CCU and its mission inspires students and co-workers
alike to keep moving forward.
• EXTENSION SITE in
Indianapolis, with active
plans to expand to more
locations.
* Many of these innovations,
pioneered by Dr. Joe Ellis
when Dean of the Seminary,
were (in his own words) “nontypical,”
refusing to “conform
to the usual academic ruts.”
5 6