School of Professional Studies
Business
B.S., 1979, George Fox College
M.S., 1984, Illinois State University
Ed.D., 1994, Illinois State University
Dr. Koch, a professor at Olivet since 1992, enjoys teaching economics courses with a Christian perspective. In 1996, he received the Richard M. Jones Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence. He was a member of the teaching team for Olivet’s Honors Program cohort that will graduate in 2014.
As a member of the faculty for the International Business Institute program, Dr. Koch teaches in Europe during the summer. In recent years, he has presented papers at conferences held at Baylor University, Wheaton College, Hillsdale College and Point Loma Nazarene University. He is a member of the American Economic Association and the Association of Christian Economists.
A graduate of George Fox College in Newberg, Ore., Dr. Koch holds a master’s degree in economics and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction. Both advanced degrees are from Illinois State University, where he also taught for several years. While at ISU, he helped develop and teach workshops offered through the Center for Economic Education for public school teachers.
Dr. Koch’s wife, Debra (McCray) Koch, is employed as a program coordinator for 4-H Youth Development at the University of Illinois Extension. She is also a student in Olivet’s Master of Organizational Leadership program. For a number of years, she has volunteered as a costumer and board member with the Kankakee Valley Theatre Association.
The Kochs have two adult sons, Andrew and David.