Department of English and Modern Languages

Faculty

Sue E. Williams (1987)
Professor; Chair, Department of English and Modern Languages

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

Karen Knudson (2001)
Associate Professor of English

B.A., 1991, Olivet Nazarene University

M.A., 1999, University of Richmond

Purdue University

David B. Johnson (2002)
Associate Professor of English

B.A., 1995, Olivet Nazarene University

M.A., 2000, Southern Illinois University

Northern Illinois University

Nathaniel Reiss (2005)
Assistant Professor of Spanish

B.A., 2004, Mount Vernon Nazarene University

M.A., 2009, Illinois State University

Andrew Gibbs (2006)
Assistant Professor of English

B.A., 2001, Olivet Nazarene University

M.A., 2009, Governors State University

Wilfredo Canales (2007)
Associate Professor of Spanish

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

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

Elizabeth Schurman (2007)
Assistant Professor of English

B.A., 2003, Olivet Nazarene University

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

Kristy Ingram (2008)
Assistant Professor of English

B.A., 2001, Olivet Nazarene University

M.A., 2005, Governors State University

Nancy Bonilla (2009)
Instructor of Spanish

B.A., 1996, Olivet Nazarene University

M.A., 2007, Illinois State University

Lisa McGrady (2011)
Assistant Professor of English

B.A., 1989, Cedarville University

M.A., 1991, University of Illinois at Chicago

Ph.D., 2007, Purdue 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.