Throughout all the twists and turns in my life, my mission has remained that of assisting people in thinking and acting creatively. Thirty-seven years ago I left Oblong, Illinois, and entered Eastern Illinois University to become a high school teacher. I graduated with B. S. in Education, but by then I had decided to go to seminary. I earned a Master of Divinity degree from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary on the campus of Northwestern University. After spending four years in parish ministry for the United Methodist Church (UMC) in southern Illinois, I returned to the Chicago area and completed a Master of Arts in Historical Theology at Loyola University.

In spite of my educational background, I spent the next twenty-one years working for the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits of the UMC in Evanston, Illinois. The last ten of those years were spent mostly as a corporate trainer. I also completed a Master of Science in Management from National-Louis University (NLU) while working at the Board.

About ten years ago I began working as an adjunct faculty member of NLU. Two years ago I also became an adjunct faculty member of Benedictine University and Lewis University, both of which are in the greater Chicago-land area. I have taught courses in Logic, Ethics, Management, and Mediterranean History. In these accelerated programs I have mostly taught working adults returning to college after years away. This experience of shared learning and teaching with adult cohort groups was what led me to apply for this program. To have the opportunity to become better at learning and teaching, which is something I already thoroughly enjoy, is about as good as it gets.

Some other interesting facts about me are:

• I have been married for 34 years.
• I have a married daughter and a three year old granddaughter.
• I am an INTP, a Virgo, an auditory learner, and a Bears fan.
• I am retired as a clergy of the UMC.
• I have lived in Illinois all but one of my 54 years.
• The Grand Canyon is my favorite place to visit.
• I have traveled to England, Wales, France, Italy, Mexico, and Canada.
• I wear cowboy boots and hats.

I look forward to this program as one of my greatest growth opportunities.