2016-2018 Outgoing & Incoming Faculty Members
Originally Published in Current Magazine
Edited and expanded by Samantha Angeles for The Seminary Witness
OUTGOING FACULTY MEMBERS
W. Larry Richards
Larry Richards, New Testament professor emeritus, passed away on March 18, 2017. Richards taught at the Seminary from 1966-1977, and 1994-2003, during which time he taught Beginning and Intermediate Greek, Formation and History of the New Testament (Textual Criticism) and 1 & 2 Corinthians. He was an emeritus professor from 2003 until his death. Larry received his undergraduate degree from Pacific Union College, an MDiv from Andrews University and PhD from Northwestern University. He has been a church pastor, a professor in Pacific Union College’s Department of Theology, a seminary professor in the New Testament department at Andrews University and director of the Greek Manuscript Research Center at Andrews University. He contributed to Adventist theological discussion through teaching and writing for decades. Most notable was his commentary on the books of First and Second Corinthians and his very popular Read Greek in 30 Days (or less). With all of his notable achievements, Larry will be best remembered by his family as a loving and devoted father and grandfather. He will be missed dearly and remembered fondly.
Peter Swanson
Peter Swanson has served as associate professor of pastoral care and member and former chair of the Department of Christian Ministry since 1988. His service includes four years as department chair, director of counseling services and teacher of pastoral counseling and human relationships. Prior to joining the Seminary, he served as a broadcaster with WAUS radio, broadcast from the campus of Andrews University. His wisdom has earned him the distinction of often serving as Seminary Dean in the absence of former dean, Denis Fortin, and current dean, Jiří Moskala. Swanson has guided the Seminary in the past and continues to be a blessing to Andrews University as professor emeritus. He is beloved by faculty, staff and students alike and will be sorely missed as a go-to member of the Christian Ministry team.
Tom Evans
Tom Evans has served six years as associate director of the North American Division Evangelism Institute (NADEI). He has made a significant contribution in the area of church planting, Natural Church Development (NCD) and coaching for pastors and churches. His leadership has produced over 100 SEEDS Church Planting Conferences and his Seminary teaching has directly impacted over 500 Master of Divinity students. We are thankful for these vital contributions that have helped to emphasize the significance of evangelism and growth through church planting. Evans and his family leave the United States to serve the Australian North New South Wales Conference as president.
Gerard Damsteegt
Gerard Damsteegt came to teach at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University in 1988, where he focused on Adventist Studies for 29 years. Before coming to the Seminary, he worked as a pastor, administrator of chaplains, health educator, author and editor. His dissertation, first issued by Eerdmans in 1977 under the title "Foundations of the Seventh-day Adventist Message and Mission," is still in print from Andrews University Press. This book, along with his substantial contributions to Seventh-day Adventists Believe: An Exposition for the Fundamental Beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and his influence through his students remain his academic legacy. He will also be well remembered for his Great Controversy history tours and materials.
Donald James
Donald James served 27 years as NADEI associate director. He has made a significant contribution in the area of small groups for pastors and churches. With the help and support of his wife, Ruth, who served as secretary, he has taught and mentored more than 2,000 Master of Divinity students. Many lay people have also benefited from his small group training sessions held throughout the North American Division and at various international locations. Don has dedicated many hours to writing books and materials to enhance the experience of pastors and lay people who are involved in or want to initiate small group ministries in their churches. These vital contributions have emphasized the significance of small groups as an evangelistic tool for the North American Division.
INCOMING FACULTY MEMBERS
Edyta Jankiewicz
Edyta Jankiewicz joined us as assistant professor in the Department of Discipleship and Religious Education in the fall 2017 semester. She has served as an adjunct faculty member in the department since 2012 and completed her PhD in Religious Education at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary in 2016. In addition to her diverse teaching experience as a volunteer instructor for a number of graduate programs and Sabbath schools, and many speaking appointments and publications, Jankiewicz has over a decade of experience as a physical therapist.
Anthony WagenerSmith
Anthony WagenerSmith joined the faculty of NADEI in the fall 2017 semester as associate director. An alumnus of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary (MDiv, 2006), WagenerSmith holds a doctorate from Fuller Theological Seminary in Missional Theology and Church Planting and has ministered in the Florida Conference since 2006. WagenerSmith planted Compass Communities Seventh-day Adventist Church and LifeSpring Adventist Church during his 11 years of ministry with the Florida Conference and also served as the Tampa Bay Church Planting Coordinator.
Scott R. Ward
Scott R. Ward joined our Seminary faculty in the fall 2017 semester as a member of the Department of Discipleship and Religious Education. An ordained pastor and executive director of High School Gospel Evangelism Initiative (www.angel1project.com), Scott is a native Californian and has served for more than a decade as a youth and senior pastor in Fresno, California. He is the father of three young adults and a prolific author with a variety of articles in Adventist publications.
