School of Professional Studies
B.A., 1990, Olivet Nazarene University
M.A., 1992, Northern Illinois University
Ph.D., 2003, Wayne State University
Dr. Chenoweth presides over Olivet’s undergraduate, graduate, and international academic programs, the registrar office, library, two centers, and athletics.
During his administrative tenure:
• 15 new programs have been launched and 11 degrees went online
• Accreditation for the dietetics program and reaccreditations for the social work, athletic training, a teacher education, nursing and engineering programs were received.
• Three study abroad locations have been added.
• Women’s golf, men’s and women’s swimming, and junior varsity soccer programs were launched. Eleven of the 16 existing teams reached NAIA Scholar Award status.
• Directly raised, or worked with teams in raising, more than $6 million for facilities, equipment, and scholarships, including a $25,000 United Auto Workers union grant; $40,000 in compassionate ministries tsunami relief; a $50,000 gift in support of training; and $100,000 for an international project.
During his 10 years at Olivet, he has served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Honors Program director; journalism program director; and a communication professor.
Dr. Chenoweth also teaches courses in investigative journalism, feature writing and public relations for the communication department. His other academic assignments include: faculty member, Korea Nazarene University (KNU); adjunct professor, Northern Illinois University; and an adjunct professor, Mott Community College. In 2002, he received the President’s Award for Service from KNU.
He is certified as a Distance Education accreditation specialist for the Higher Learning Commission by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; an All-Levels School Administrator by the Association of Christian Schools International; and a Public Relations Instructor by the National Communication Association.
A variety of Dr. Chenoweth’s writing has been published in nearly 30 outlets, such as regional newspapers (e.g., “Chicago Tribune”); national magazines (e.g., “Christianity Today”); industry publications (e.g., “Inside Higher Ed”); and academic journals (e.g., “Forum on Public Policy”). One of his most interesting projects was editing a book with participants from 15 universities in six countries.
He has been featured on the Church of the Nazarene’s denominational website for his work in Kenya in 2004 and Turkey in 2007. “B2B Illinois” magazine featured his professional profile in 2005.
He lectured at the 20th Anniversary of the Oxford (England) Roundtable in 2008 alongside Richard Dawkins, a member of the European Parliament, a Harvard professor, a Muslim imam, a Jewish rabbi and prominent atheist.
He was one of 40 invited to the 2007 Oxford Centre for Religion and Public Life symposium in Istanbul, Turkey, to speak on the topic “Fact vs. Rumor: Journalism in the 21st Century.” Other conference participants were Michael Gerson, President George Bush’s speech writer, and E.S. Isaac, head of India’s largest sports television channel.
In 2011, he completed a yearlong, competitive-application Executive Leadership Academy. Designed to cross-train university vice presidents in all aspects of university leadership, it was co-sponsored by the Council of Independent Colleges and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities .
In 2009, Dr. Chenoweth was inducted into Phi Delta Lambda, the Church of the Nazarene’s international honorary society for scholars. He is also a founding board member of Starfish Family Homes for abused/neglected children; a trustee for the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area; and a member of the Council of Independent Colleges, Chief Academic Officers, and the Council of Christian Colleges & Universities(CCCU).
He is an ordained minister and deacon in the Church of the Nazarene, and has preached in more than 30 cities in five countries.
His leisure interests are reading, skiing and travel.
He and his wife, Tammy, are the parents of Abbey, Allison and Aaron.