The Bell
Adding to the Experts
Gordon is adding three new members to the lineup of outstanding new faculty joining the ranks this fall.
An expert in media studies and visual culture, Grace Chiou will join the communication arts faculty as assistant professor of communication arts. Chiou has studied the intersection of media, culture, religion and gender, and brings professional experience as a market research analyst and business consultant in the pharmaceutical field. “I left marketing seven years ago to pursue a Ph.D. to fulfill my goal of being a professor,” she says. “My position at Gordon combines both my past business experience and interests in media and cultural change. I’m happy to be joining this unique community and contributing to its story.”
A leader in inclusive engagement and excellence, Chiou’s interests extend beyond the classroom and into issues of social justice. One area of her research investigates the use of social media among migrant teens. Chiou holds an M.A. in media, culture and communication from New York University and a B.S. in marketing from Pennsylvania State University. She is currently a religious studies doctoral candidate (concentration in cultural theory with a focus on religion and media) in the University of Denver and Iliff School of Theology joint Ph.D. program.
From Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi, J. David West brings extensive experience in drawing, printmaking and mixed media art to his position as associate professor of art. West is a widely exhibited artist and educator, and the founder of several art organizations and events. He completed his undergraduate work at Mississippi College with a concentration in painting, and earned his M.F.A. with a concentration in printmaking from Louisiana State University.
“Our culture desperately needs artists whose hearts are geared toward finding evidence of God’s grace in all corners of creation,” he says. Even unexpected corners, like this artist’s previous role as a lead prosthetics sculptor, working with clients and anaplastologists globally to fabricate lifelike replacement limbs. West was also a key player in transitioning Louisiana State University’s intaglio (printmaking with an incised image) lab to non-toxic status. “I am excited to be at Gordon to assist our students in their faithful pursuit of more intimately knowing our Savior through their callings as makers,” he says.
The Department of English will welcome Dr. Kerilyn Harkaway-Krieger as assistant professor of English. A trained medievalist, Dr. Harkaway-Krieger brings a strong background in medieval and early modern literature and religion. She is actively involved in the Medieval Studies Institute at Indiana University, where she also serves on staff with InterVarsity’s graduate chapter.
Dr. Harkaway-Krieger holds a B.A. from Hope College, an M.A. from The Ohio State University, and a Ph.D. in English and Religious Studies from Indiana University. Her dissertation, which she defended this past December, focused on “Mysticism and Metaphor: Visionary Literature in Fourteenth-Century England.” She will be continuing her research this summer: “I will open up a new facet of my research by looking at the writings of the 14th century Richard Rolle. Rolle is a little bit crazy—he never took religious orders or affiliated himself with a monastic house or a diocese. He wandered around Yorkshire, picked up a bunch of female religious advisees, wrote poetry and claimed to experience the presence of God continuously. So it should be a fun project!”
Above (L to R): Grace Chiou, J. David West, Dr. Kerilyn Harkaway-Krieger