NWC NAMES JANET SOMMERS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Janet Sommers, Ph.D., has joined the senior administration of Northwestern College as Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Sommers has more than 20 years of teaching and leadership experience in higher education, including 18 years at Northwestern. Most recently, Sommers served as chair and professor for Northwestern's Department of English & Literature. There she collaborated on the addition of two new concentrations and three new minors; facilitated the growth of the college's chapter of Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society; and saw a 66 percent increase in the number of English majors.

In her new role, Sommers serves as the chief academic officer and senior member of the president's cabinet. She oversees academic life for the traditional undergraduate programs, from faculty and curriculum to policies and practices.

"Dr. Sommers is an excellent professor with outstanding student evaluations. She is deeply respected by her peers and staff," said Alan Cureton, Ph.D., president of Northwestern College. "She has a deep understanding of the institution's ethos. She is a gracious, soft-spoken yet firm leader who is willing to listen and open to discussing all possible options, viewpoints and scenarios. Her gifts and skills are exactly what Northwestern needs."

Learn more about Dr. Sommers at nwc.edu.

NORTHWESTERN'S MICHAEL WISE SERVES AS EXPERT ADVISOR ON SCIENCE MUSEUM EXHIBIT

Michael Wise, Ph.D., Northwestern College professor of Hebrew Bible and ancient languages and chair of the Northwestern Department of Biblical & Theological Studies, serves as expert advisor for the Science Museum of Minnesota's exhibition "The Dead Sea Scrolls: Words That Changed the World" (opening March 12 in St. Paul).

Wise heavily influenced the creation of the supporting materials surrounding the scrolls exhibit--the largest and most expensive storyline ever presented by the Science Museum.

A world-renowned expert, Wise has written seven books and more than 100 scholarly articles and book reviews on the scrolls including works profiled in Time magazine, Vanity Fair, National Geographic, the New York Times, Chicago Tribune and the Times of London, and on the old MacNeil/Lehrer News Hour, the BBC, A&E's "Mysteries of the Bible," and in many other media outlets in the United States and abroad.
Though Wise's knowledge of the Scrolls has an impact globally, he focuses a majority of his time on teaching and mentoring students at Northwestern College while engaging in active study and research.

In conjunction with the Science Museum exhibit, Wise is scheduled to give two public lectures at Northwestern College. Due to overwhelming demand, both lecture events are sold out. For more information about Wise, visit nwc.edu/scrolls.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES COUNCIL HOSTS FIRST NWC CARNIVAL!

You're invited to the First NWC Carnival! The NWC Student Activities Council is hosting this great new annual event that will be fun for the whole family. Come enjoy hot dogs, cotton candy, plenty of games for adults, and a variety of activities just for kids. Get ready to play some crazy games like electronic toilet racing, plinko, sumo wrestling, bungee-run, and a dunk tank with some of your favorite NWC leaders!
The carnival will be held on March 20 from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Ericksen Center. Feel free to come when you can and leave when you need to. Admission is FREE! We hope to see you there!

SUPERCHARGE! YOUTH WORKERS CONFERENCE

Youth leaders, this is your chance! NWC is co-sponsoring the Supercharge! Youth Workers Conference, and it's a one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn from some of the greatest minds in student ministry...all in the nurturing environment of beautiful Camp Lebanon. Prepare to have your heart encouraged, your thinking stretched and your strategy sharpened through top-notch presenters including Tiger McCluen, Kenny King and Matt Swigart; inspiring worship with Guy Magno; and valuable networking opportunities. The conference is May 7-9, 2010. Please send us an e-mail at alumni@nwc.edu if you would like a complete brochure and registration form.