Greetings, all! Though a senior member of this board, I have been relatively absent here for some time. I thought I'd drop back by to share the story of recent developments in my academic journey with you all. As a distance learning student, I completed a regionally accredited BS and a UK-based MTh, and presently am engaged in PhD research through a South African university. A few weeks ago, the North American Baptist Seminary in Sioux Falls, SD, extended to me an invitation to assume a tenure-track faculty position in the field of Christian Leadership. I will begin my duties there in June of 2005. I am very excited about joining this 146-year-old, NCA and ATS accredited institution. Anyhow, I hope that my story (and I know there are several others represented here) of gaining an academic position with non-traditional degrees will be an encouragement to those of you who continue to pursue such aspirations.
(soon) Dr. Cory Seibel This is a first-class tale, best wishes, keep working solid; (soon) Dr. Cory Seibel.
Wales Hi! I've looked at the doctoral in Christian Spirituality. What was your experience with Wales? Thanks so much. ---Paul
Congratulations, Cory. Any idea when your doctoral program will wrap up? Hopefully, NABS will pick up the tab for your tuition and trips to South Africa! Dave G.
congrads Cory, Congrads on your appointment to NABS. As one who aspires to teach theology/philosophy/apologetics in the college/seminary/divinity school level this gives me re-affirmation that I am not going down the wrong path with the DL route. Best wishes in your new position. Chris Bryant M.A. Religion (in progress) RTS/Virtual Campus
Congraulations, Cory! On both your impending doctorate and on your new position. You have always been one of the more thoughtful, informative, and sane posters around here. Frankly, I think that NABS is as fortunate to get you as you are to get this excellent sounding position. Everybody wins, you, your new employer and DL in general. I love it.
Thanks so much to each of you for your kind and encouraging words. I greatly appreciate the community that you offer here. For those of you curious about my timeline for completing my PhD dissertation, believe it or not, I do not anticipate submitting it until approximateily April of 2007. My hope (fueled by the encouragement of my supervisor) is to defend my dissertation and graduate during a trip to South Africa in September of 2007. I am enjoying the process a great deal, and am excited about the research and writing that lies ahead. I also am encouraged by being able to look forward to having roughly two months off in the summer to concentrate on my research, as well as to being based at an institution with an ample theological library. Thanks again, everyone!
Re: Wales Paul, I assume that you must be thinking about doing the PhD through the University of Wales, Lampeter. I was enrolled through Spurgeon's College in London (a theological college validated by the University of Wales). Thus, I don't have any direct experience with Lampeter. However, I do know that it is well regarded and receives high marks from the relevant governmental authorities. Furthermore, some of the scholars available to provide supervision of doctoral work in the area of Christian Spirituality at Lampeter are quite distinguished.