HCU: One More Year

HCU: One More Year

This year begins my last year as a full-time professor at Houston Christian University! When I came on board in 2012, the goal was to create a flourishing apologetics degree alongside some great colleagues. Over the years, the program exceeded our expectations! Our HCU apologetics students and graduates are engaging in the public sphere, going onto PhD’s, ministering in the local church, and so much more.

HCU: One More Year

Our original vision included an emphasis on how to combine the arts and apologetics. We perceived that apologetics–the task of making a case for the existence of God–had been well explored in rhetoric, such as debates, as well as through  lecture-style argument presentation. However, the arts, which have much persuasive power, needed more attention. So, we first focused on the development of a cultural apologetics program. As this part of our endeavor began to flourish with graduate students from all types of backgrounds and interests, we turned some attention towards creating a philosophical track. We now have the two tracks going strong at the university: cultural and philosophical. Often times, students take electives from the track of which they are not in…they just want that philosophical boost on the problem of evil…or, perhaps, they couldn’t resist trying out Dr. Tallon’s apologetics and film course. (I still want to take it myself!)

Twelve Years a Professor

Now, here I am, twelve years into my professorship. Funny, I never intended to be an apologetics professor. Isn’t that how things go sometimes? And while it wasn’t my intention, I have desired to be an educator since my early high school years. I began in public school music education and I ended up in university apologetics, an important field that brings together theology and philosophy in a 1 Peter 3:15 way.  I am sometimes amazed that God brought together my longtime interest in education with the study of my beliefs…and that I was entrusted to teach others to do the same.

Oh, I would be remiss not to mention how much the students have enriched my life! I have met and engaged some amazing people, doing all sorts of ministry work: from a Screamo band lead singer to a local church pastor; from a tabletop role-playing game developer to an international public speaker. These students have encouraged me with their visions for ministry, their eagerness to learn, and genuine commitment to God. I had the privilege of helping most of our students form an apologetics presentation during one of my courses.  Over many years of working on and grading these projects, I have watched them develop into podcasts, blogs, books, journals, speaking platforms, professorships, and even PhD confirmations. Plus, my students have reciprocated and helped me along the way. They’ve read chapters of books I wrote, helped research topics I’ve debated, and engaged me in looking at the toughest questions of life through different angles.

Further, there are my colleagues…whom I lovingly call the “merry band of misfit apologists.” Don’t hold this title against any of them…this one’s all on me. (I sometimes leave out the “misfits,” just in case.) I cannot imagine a life without having known these folks. They have been an encouragement to me, embracing me for where I am skilled, and yet not looking down on me for things I have yet to learn. Ever resourceful and always surprising, I will miss my merry band of colleagues.

So, in summing up…to say this has been a rewarding experience doesn’t quite capture the depth of that reward.

Looking Ahead

As I enter this final full-time year, I can fondly look back at the enriching experience at HCU while also looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead. At this point, I don’t know what God has in store for me next, but He has taught me at least one thing over the years: whatever it is, it’s never boring!

“Further up and further in!”

Professor Mary Jo Sharp

The 25 Best Colleges For Homeschool Graduates

The 25 Best Colleges For Homeschool Graduates

I found this article on www.thebestschools.org and am excited to share it with you!  HBU is #7 and climbing quickly!

“The homeschooling movement is growing in America, and it’s no
surprise. The home is a natural, rich soil for student learning. Even
with public and private school students, parents remain a powerful force
in the education of their children.

For most of history, children received vocational or advanced
training in small, community settings such as apprenticeships or with
home tutors. While regular teachers possess college and university
degrees in specialized fields, evidence confirms that homeschool
curricula, with the freedom of the homeschool environment along with the
security and care of parent-teachers, consistently outperform
classrooms taught by degreed professionals.
In short, the passion and dedication of parents seems to
significantly outscore specialization. And of course, the disarray of
public schools and the added expense of private schools only add to
homeschooling’s appeal.
But what about after high school? The working world still presses job
candidates for college degrees. College remains crucial for many
Americans. But for homeschoolers, some colleges fit far better than
others. Below is TheBestSchools.org’s ranking of the 25 top
homeschool-friendly colleges.
Like anyone else in the college-hunt, homeschoolers want academic
excellence and rigor at a fair price—but in a healthy setting without
the decadence prevalent in so much of American higher education. In
their search for the right college, homeschoolers have unique needs.
It is not enough to find a college that actively recruits
homeschoolers; those schools might still fail to address the needs and
interests of their homeschool applicants. All of the following schools
have a history of accepting homeschool applicants. But we’ve gone
farther in identifying three key features that commend these schools as
“homeschool-friendly”:” Click to read the entire article and view the rankings.

Houston Baptist University is making a huge impact!

MJ

So, They Asked Me To Be A Professor…

So, They Asked Me To Be A Professor…

“Welcome. This is an exciting time in the life of Houston Baptist University (HBU). Since its founding
in 1960, the University has grown into a thriving community of faith
and scholarship…HBU is taking steps to become a leading institution for Christian higher education in America.

From its home in the heart of Houston, Texas, one of the nation’s
largest and most diverse metropolitan areas, HBU provides a learning
experience that instills in students a passion for academic, spiritual,
and professional excellence. This mission serves as the driving force
behind our continued efforts to enrich the total student life
experience.

By enhancing our campus facilities, strengthening our rigorous liberal
arts core curriculum, expanding our graduate program offerings, and
competing in NCAA Division I athletics, HBU is uniquely positioned to
serve both undergraduate and graduate students seeking an excellent
education.

Thank you for your interest in HBU. I hope you will take the opportunity to drop by and visit
the HBU campus to experience firsthand all of the wonderful things the
University has to offer. Our faculty, staff and students are ready to
greet you.

Dr. Robert B. Sloan, Jr.
President
Houston Baptist University”

I have accepted the position of Assistant Professor beginning this fall at HBU!  More on this in a later blog post, but let me say that I whole-heartedly support President Sloan and incoming Provost John Mark Reynolds.  Along with new professor, Holly Ordway (pictured with me on campus), I find that HBU is the place to be!

MJ