As regular readers know, I stepped down from my role as Associate Director of the Emerging Scholars Network at the end of December. We didn’t need to look far for my replacement —Tom Grosh has been appointed as ESN’s next Associate Director, beginning his official duties on July 1.
When I first joined InterVarsity staff, several people recommended Tom as someone who not only believed in the idea and mission of ESN, but was actually working to build ESN on the ground. When we launched the Emerging Scholars Blog in August 2008, Tom was a natural choice as my co-blogger (with the gracious approval of his supervisor Dwight Schwartz). Tom’s very first post —an appreciation of Randy Pausch’s The Last Lecture —expressed many of the strengths that Tom has brought to ESN: a wide network of relationships with faculty and students; an ear for academics who have something to say to their peers (and a readiness to let them speak); and the ability to draw connections between secular resources, Scripture, and his personal journey.
It has been a privilege to work alongside Tom, and I look forward to seeing where he will lead ESN as its next Associate Director. Praise God!
That’s not the only good news, however. Since 2011, Faculty Ministry —ESN’s home within InterVarsity —has been led by an Interim Director, Chuck Hohnbaum. I have really appreciated getting to know Chuck and learn from his wisdom and experience as both a pastor and supervisor. His stewardship has been an enormous blessing to both Faculty Ministry and ESN. Thank you! Chuck will no longer be leading Faculty Ministry because…
Craig Gartland has been appointed as the new Director of Faculty Ministry! Craig has served on InterVarsity staff for 23 years, most recently as the Regional Director for GFM’s Midwest Region. After earning his MDiv from Fuller, Craig served as campus staff at the University of Chicago, where he worked with the whole campus at various points of his ministry: undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and professional students. Craig’s wife, Sharon Gartland, founded InterVarsity’s Women in the Academy and Professions ministry and has recently been appointed as a Clinical Instructor at the University of Wisconsin’s Waisman Center. Personally, I have been impressed by Craig’s cycling ability and hope that he kicks off his tenure as Director of Faculty Ministry with a cross-country fundraising ride from Berkeley to Cambridge.
Praise God for these new appointments! Please join me in welcoming Tom and Craig to their roles and praying for their successful transitions.
The former Associate Director for the Emerging Scholars Network, Micheal lives in Cincinnati with his wife and three children and works as a web manager for a national storage and organization company. He writes about work, vocation, and finding meaning in what you do at No Small Actors.
BTW, I forgot to mention that I’ll still be around, in a part time role. My new title is “Writer for ESN,” and I’ll be contributing here on the blog and with other writing-related project.
Mike, Your steadfast, persistent pioneering labors with ESN has been and will continue to be much appreciated! It’s great to retain you as part of the writing team. I’m particularly excited to see how your focused summer series unfolds. To God be the glory! In Christ, Tom