Six Faculty Receive Scholar Grants

by Alyssa Speicher, Public Relations Writer – February 10, 2017

Six faculty receive scholar grants to enhance academic disciplines in the classroom

Six Cedarville University faculty members were awarded scholar grants from the university to enhance their academic disciplines in the classroom. 

The award recipients include Dr. Marc Clauson, professor of history and law; Dr. Glen Duerr, assistant professor of international studies; Carlos Elias, professor of music; Dr. Fred Harmon, associate professor of electrical engineering; Dr. John Mortensen, professor of music; and Dr. Michelle Wood, associate professor of English

“I was really excited to hear that faculty could gain some grant and course release time to work on their academic projects,” said Duerr. All six faculty members have received similar grants or sabbaticals before, so they know just how valuable this time will be for their academic pursuits.

The honored faculty will work on the following projects through the scholar grant:

  • Clauson will work on a book, “The Integration of Christian Worldview: A Guide to Substance and Method.” He has had the idea for this project for 20 years, and welcomes the chance to complete it.

  • Duerr will spend time on his manuscript, “Patriotism and the Cross: A Theology of Nationalism,” as well as an edited volume on terrorism and secession, a book chapter and a conference paper. According to Duerr, grants permit him to do valuable research that adds to his lectures at Cedarville.

  • Elias will record and produce a CD of hymns arranged specifically for violin and piano. “The main purpose of this recording is to glorify and praise God through music and to promote Cedarville University,” he said.

  • Harmon will research the integration of engineering and missions. He hopes this research will generate ideas for engineering projects that can be used to build relationships in the mission field so that the Gospel can be shared. 

  • Mortensen will travel to the Republic of Malta to research classical improvisation, judge an international piano competition, perform concerts, and teach masterclasses. He notes that this grant will be helpful as he continues his book for Oxford University Press, “The Pianist’s Guide to Classical Improvisation.”

  • Wood will develop her book manuscript, “Reading Volitional Movements in Nineteenth-Century American Women’s Writing,” for University Press of New England. She will be studying the work of Caroline Kirkland and Alice Cary. “Without this grant, it would be almost impossible for me to complete a book-length project,” Wood said.

Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,760 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 100 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.