Bethel Alum Named Gordon College Provost

Janel Curry ’77 was recently named provost at Gordon College, Wenham, Mass., an institution that has been ranked among the top Christian colleges nationally. Curry was the unanimous choice of the search committee, who considered more than 70 nominations for the position. “That the recommendation was a unanimous one reflects positively not only on Janel’s credentials and character, but also on the thorough and prayerful search to which [the search committee] devoted themselves...,” says D. Michael Lindsay, president of Gordon College. “I could not be more pleased with this selection. Janel Curry is the right person with the right experience to advance and further strengthen Gordon’s academic life...”

Curry, a political science major with a minor in peace and conflict studies, graduated from Bethel with high honors. She went on to earn her master’s and doctoral degrees in geography at the University of Minnesota. She has since served as a professor of geography and environmental studies and the dean of research and scholarship at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Mich. Curry has published numerous articles and book chapters, co-edited a book, and co-authored two books. She has been named a Fulbright Scholar twice and is currently serving at City University in Hong Kong under the Fulbright program, where she is working to transition the university from a three-year to a four-year program.

Curry is highly regarded in the academic community for her scholarship and leadership, and is committed to Gordon’s strong academic tradition. Says Elaine Phillips, chair of the search committee, “Our new provost is fully committed to championing Gordon’s tradition of maintaining the delicate balance between powerful Christian commitment and the openness to inquiry that leads to leading-edge scholarship in the pursuit of truth.” Curry will begin as Gordon’s provost in summer 2012.