School of Professional Studies - William Jessup University

2010-2011
Julius (Rex) Gurney III
(2003) History; Chair, General Education Program
University of New Mexico, BA, 1979; Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, M.Div., 1987;
Union Theological Seminary - Virginia, Ph.D., 1999.
Rex has a passion for teaching history because learning about the past can help our
understanding of the present. Who we are as Christians living in the 21st century has been
molded by the understanding of “the ways of God and Man” of those who have journeyed on
this earth before us. For the Christian, an appreciation of the rich tapestry of history – both
secular history and Church history – is an invaluable tool for self-understanding. Being able to
articulate who one is and why – a process aided by the study of history – is an important part of
the journey of self-discovery.
Prior to joining the faculty of WJU, Rex pastored for nine years in Oakland and San Jose, CA.
He has also spent several years on the mission field in both Colombia and Ecuador, taught
high school overseas and in the States, and directed Golden Gate Baptist’s Hispanic Seminary
Extension in San Francisco.
Portia Hopkins
(1994) Chair, English
San Jose State University, BA, 1984; MA, 1989; California Institute of Integral Studies, Ph.D.,
2007.
Portia loves to read, loves to write, and loves to share these passions with others. “All truth is
God’s truth” is the motto of her program, so she emphasizes helping students find meaning
and personal application in both their writing and reading coursework. Portia is also interested
in reflective writing as a meta-cognitive discipline, as well as writing style and literature each in
connection with personality.
Portia began teaching English to college students at San Jose State University in 1988. There
she was awarded the Mara Steffey Award for Outstanding Graduate Student in 1989, and the
Best Thesis in the School of Arts and Humanities in 1990.
Kay Llovio
(1985) Chair, Family and Children’s Ministry; Accreditation Liaison Officer
San Jose Bible College, BS, 1985; San Jose State University, MLS, 1987; University of San
Francisco, Ed.D, 1998.
Kay is passionate about Christian higher education and the transformation which takes place in
students’ lives.
Kay works collaboratively with faculty and others on campus to develop and implement an
overall university plan for demonstrating educational effectiveness. Llovio also serves as
Professor and Chair of the Family & Children’s Ministry program, a role she has held for fifteen
years. She has previously served WJU as VPAA, Associate Academic Dean and Library Director,
providing academic leadership in the transition from Bible college to Christian liberal arts.
Llovio has been published in the Christian Education Journal, High Plains Applied
Anthropologist, and the Evangelical Dictionary of Christian Education. She was named
Outstanding Doctoral Student in the Organization & Leadership program in 1998 for her
cutting edge research on spirituality in leadership.
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