Department of English and Modern Languages

Faculty

Karen Knudson (2001)
Assistant Professor of English; Interim Chair, Department of English and Modern Languages

B.A., 1991, Olivet Nazarene University

M.A., 1999, University of Richmond

Purdue University

Vicki Trylong (1976)
Professor of Modern Languages

B.A., 1970, Olivet Nazarene University

M.A.T., 1980, Purdue University

Ph.D., 1987, Purdue University

Sue E. Williams (1987)
Interim Dean, College of Arts and Sciences; Professor of English

B.A., 1969, Olivet Nazarene University

M.A.E., 1987, Olivet Nazarene University

Ph.D., 1996, University of Illinois

Juliene Forrestal (1996)
Associate Professor of English

B.A., 1971, Illinois State University

M.A., 1973, University of Illinois

Northern Illinois University

Rebecca Belcher (1997)
Professor of English

B.A., 1969, Olivet Nazarene University

M.S., 1975, University of Kansas

D.A., 2000, Middle Tennessee State University

Kashama Mulamba (1997)
Professor of English

B.A., 1974, Moray House College of Education, Scotland

M.A., 1987, Ball State University

Ph.D., 1991, Ball State University

David B. Johnson (2002)
Assistant Professor of English

B.A., 1995, Olivet Nazarene University

M.A., 2000, Southern Illinois University

Northern Illinois University

Barbara Martinez (2002)
Professor of Modern Languages

B.A., 1975, Southern Nazarene University

M.A., 1986, John Carroll University

Ph.D., 2005, University of Akron

Nathaniel Reiss (2005)
Instructor of Modern Languages

B.A., 2004, Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Illinois State University

Andrew Gibbs (2006)
Instructor of English

B.A., 2001, Olivet Nazarene University

Governors State University

Wilfredo Canales (2007)
Associate Professor of English

B.A., 1982, Universidad Nazarena, Costa Rica

M.A., 2006, Insituto Latinoamericano de la Communicacion Educativa, Mexico

Nova Southeastern University

Elizabeth Schurman (2007)
Assistant Professor of English

B.A., 2003, Olivet Nazarene University

M.A.E., 2005, Olivet Nazarene University

John Chang (2008)
Assistant Professor of English

B.A.,1988, Christ's College, Taiwan

B.A., 1990, Covenant College

M.A., 1992, Covenant Theological Seminary

M.A., 1993, Wayne State College

M.Phil., 2001, University of Aberdeen, Scotland

D.A., 2007, Idaho State University

Kristy Ingram (2008)
Instructor of English

B.A., 2001, Olivet Nazarene University

M.A., 2005, Governors State University

The Department of English and Modern Languages shares the University's commitment to the integration of Christian faith with scholarship. Its mission is to teach students to communicate effectively, to recognize and appreciate the interplay between language and culture, to interact critically with a wide range of texts, and to apply these skills in their lives of service to God and humanity.

Programs in English develop students' understanding and appreciation of literary works in a variety of genres; familiarize them with the concepts and analysis of language; enable them to convey effective written, oral, and visual messages to diverse audiences; and strengthen their critical skills.

Programs in Spanish and French engage students in communication, including the skills of listening comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing within its cultural context. Students make connections with other disciplines and compare diverse viewpoints while utilizing the target language. The program fosters opportunities to interact with native speakers in a variety of settings, including a study abroad component.

Departmental programs combine liberal arts with professional preparation for a variety of careers, including education, business and marketing, public relations, translation, ministry, law, and social work. These programs also enrich majors and minors in other academic fields.