2005 Conference
2005 Conference Speaker Biographies
Speaker Biographies WORD Conference Schedule WORD PDF
Roy Atwood Dr. Roy Alden Atwood is the President of New Saint Andrew College and a Senior Fellow of Humanities. He has taught at the post-secondary level for more than 25 years—at the University of
Iowa (1977-1981), Gonzaga University (1981-1984), the University of Idaho (1984-2000), and New Saint Andrews (since 2000). He received a B.A. in Philosophy from Dordt College (Iowa), an M.A. from Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia), and a Ph.D. in Mass Communication from the University of Iowa. Dr. Atwood has also been a Senior Fulbright Scholar twice, first to the Institute of Journalism, Warsaw University, Poland (1991), and to the Institute for Communication Research, Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, South Africa (1998). He has also been a visiting professor at Egerton University, Kenya, East Africa (1992), and conducted funded media policy research in Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary (1995). He and his wife, Beverlee, have been married 32 years and have two married children and three grandsons.
Jeff Barclay Dr. Barclay earned a B.A. in Biology and Education from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1978 and began his career as a Junior High Science Teacher and Coach in 1979 in a public school. He did post-graduate work in Exercise Physiology and Athletic Administration at Illinois State University. In 1984 he earned a Masters of Theology with a concentration in Hebrew Studies from International Seminary. His Doctor of Ministry was earned in 2000 from Lake Charles Bible College and focused on Administration and Apologetics. He left public education in 1981 after his creation unit was no longer going to be allowed. Since 1981, his work experiences have included business, education, pastoral ministry, and district-level church administration. In July, 2004, Dr. Barclay became Administrator of Veritas Christian School in Lawrence, Kansas. He has been happily married to his wife, Cindy, for twenty-five years. Although a busy father of seven, he finds time to boat, hunt and compete as a national-level tri-athlete.
Peter G. Baur Peter has spent nearly twenty years in the field of education. Experience includes college admissions, and as a member of the administration at The Friends’ Central School and Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia. While there, his responsibilities included admission, development/fundraising, strategic vision and planning, community involvement, public relations, marketing, teaching, coaching, and seemingly endless committee work. Currently, Peter serves as Director, Institutional Advancement at Westminster Academy and has led the school in its fundraising activities with an emphasis on strategic and leadership giving.
Cynthia Behnke Cynthia has taught at Westminster Academy since 1996. She has taught Geometry, Algebra, Logic I and II, Pre-Calculus, and Calculus. She has sponsored Mock Trial for five years. Mrs. Behnke is married to Johnny.
Andy Black Andy received his B.A,. in English at Mississippi State University. He is presently at Westminster Academy where he teaches 7th, 8th, and 10th Grade English. In addition to teaching capacities, Andy is developing a drama program Westminster that so far has produced Romeo and Juliet, the Odyssey, and Julius Caesar. Andy’s passions include creative wiring, film, drama, book collecting, bike-riding, and ultimate Frisbee. Though not particularly gifted in any one of these areas, much less all of them, Andy likes to consider himself a “Renaissance Man”.
Kris Bjorgen Dr. Bjorgen has been involved in Christian Education for over 27 years and has served as an administrator in church and school ministries for over 15 years. These years of experience qualified him to author School Dynamics software, a school management program that thinks like an administrator. He has served as president of School Dynamics, Inc. since 2001.
Joe Bray Joe holds a B.A. in Christian Education from Lincoln Christian College, an M.A. in Theology & philosophy from Lincoln Christian Seminary, and an M.Div. in Theology from Lexington Theological Seminary. He has been involved in Christian School education for Twenty years, the last five of which as the Headmaster of Berean Academy, an ACCS charter member.
Beverly Butt Beverly is teaching Geometry, Algebra II, Trigonometry and Algebra III, and Calculus I this year. She was formerly a mathematics teacher in the Manheim Township School District. Mrs. Butt has a B.S. from Millersville University and a Masters from Wilkes University. Bev and husband Bob have three grown children.
James P. Carnes Jim and his wife, Nancy, have been married for 25 years and have two daughters: Anna (17), and Mary Katherine (13), both students at Westminster Academy where Jim serves as a teacher of Rhetoric. Jim received his B.M. in Sacred Music/Philosophy form Union University and his M.A. in Musicology from North Texas State University. He has served as Minister of Music at South Woods Baptist Church where he also functions as one of the elders and as a teacher. His full time occupation is as a clothing buyer at Oak Hall, Inc. He is a frequent music director and speaker at conferences. He can be reached at jimcarnes@aol.com.
Michael R. Carter Mike and his wife, Terri, have five children: Allison, Joshua, Lauren, Samuel and Emma. Mike received his B.S. in Graphic Design from Austin Peay State University and his M.F.A. in Graphic Design from the University of Memphis. Since 1999 Mike has taught art at Westminster Academy, Memphis, TN. He is also adjunct instructor at two Memphis colleges.
Leslie Collins Leslie is the Admissions Director for Rockbridge Academy. She and her husband Dave have four children, all of whom will attend Rockbridge this coming year. Dave and Leslie live in Linthicum, MD and consider one of their greatest joys to be working alongside of each other at the school that their children attend. Leslie has taught children of all ages as well as adults, and has worked in education for eighteen years.
James Daniels James is the Director of Instruction at Westminster Academy in Memphis, TN, where he has taught Theology, Rhetoric, Logic and Philosophy over the last five years. He and his wife Larissa have one daughter, Alexandria.
Gary DeMar Gary grew up in the suburbs of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of Western Michigan University (1973) and Reformed Theological Seminary (1979). He has lived in the Atlanta area since 1979 (West Cobb County). Gary and his wife are members of Midway Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Gary is president of American Vision, a Christian educational and communications organization whose purpose is to help Christians in their development of a comprehensive biblical worldview.
Gary is the author of more than twenty books covering a full range of topics: The three-volume God and Government series (1982-1986), Ruler of the Nations (1987, 2002), The Reduction of Christianity (1988), Surviving College Successfully (1988), Something Greater Is Here (1988), “You’ve Heard It Said” (1991), America’s Christian History: The Untold Story (1997), War of the Worldviews (1994), Last Days Madness (4th ed., 1999), Is Jesus Coming Soon? (1999), Thinking Straight in a Crooked World (2001), End Times Fiction: A Biblical Consideration of the Left Behind Theology (Thomas Nelson, 2001), Liberty at Risk: Exposing the Politics of Plunder (2003), America’s Christian Heritage (Broadman & Holman, 2003), Myths, Lies, and Half Truths: How Misreading the Bible Neutralizes Christians (2004), and Zechariah 12 and the “Esther Connection” (2005), Islam and Russia in Prophecy (2005), and The Christian Foundation of America (2005). He is also the general editor and co-author of A New World in View (1996), Building a City on a Hill (2005), and On the Road To Independence (2005), the first three volumes in the To Pledge Allegiance American history textbook series.
Gary has been interviewed by Time magazine, CNN, MSNBC, FOX, the BBC, and Sean Hannity. He has done numerous radio and television interviews, including the “Bible Answer Man,” hosted by Hank Hanegraaff and “Today’s Issues” with Tim Wildmon and Marvin Sanders. Newspaper interviews with Gary have appeared in the Washington Times, Toledo (Ohio) Blade, the Sacramento Bee, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Marietta Daily Journal, San Francisco Chronicle, The Orlando Sentinel, and the Chicago Tribune.
American Vision also publishes The Biblical Worldview, a monthly magazine edited by Gary. For information about the work of American Vision and a sample copy of Biblical Worldview magazine write to American Vision, 3150-A Florence Rd., Suite 2, Powder Springs, Georgia 30127 or call 1-800-628-9460 or 770-222-7266. Gary can be contacted at garydemar@americanvision.org. American Vision’s website is www.americanvision.org
Marlin and Laurie Detweiler Marlin, and his wife, Laurie, own Veritas Press, a full service curriculum provider for classical Christian education. Laurie is the curriculum coordinator of Veritas Academy in Lancaster, PA. They have four children: Jameson, Brandon, Travis, and Parker. Marlin is a founding board member for Veritas Academy in Lancaster, PA and the President of Veritas Press. He is a permanent board member for ACCS and was one of the founding board members of The Geneva School, Orlando, FL.
Michael Eatmon Michael and his wife, Pamela, live in Orlando with their four children, Lauren, John-Michael, Luke and Sarah. After studies in comparative language at Furman University (B.A.) and theology at Reformed Theological Seminary (M.A.T.S.), Michael began work with The Geneva School, Orlando, where he currently teaches logic and philosophy and serves as Academic Dean.
Ty Fischer Ty has been the Headmaster at Veritas Academy in Lancaster, PA for the last eight years. He has also taught a number of classes in the Secondary School including Omnibus, Greek, Logic and Rhetoric. He and his wife, Emily, have written numerous curricular pieces for Veritas Press and he is now one of the editors of the Omnibus Project at Veritas Press. He and Emily live in Lancaster with their three daughters Madelyn, Layne and Karis.
Rod Gilbert Rod Gilbert currently serves as the Head of Upper School at Regents School of Austin. He and his wife Angie are the proud parents of Katie and Ryan. Prior to joining Regents in 2003, he was the founding Associate Headmaster of Trinity Academy in Raleigh, North Carolina. He and Angie married after they both graduated from UNC Wilmington. In 1995 Rod competed a Master of Divinity from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, TN.
George Grant, Ph.D., D.Hum., D.Litt., is Teaching Pastor at Christ Community Church (PCA), Coordinator of the Gileskirk Curriculum Project, Director of the King’s Meadow Study Center, and Humanities Lecturer at Franklin Classical School. He is the author of dozens books in the areas of history, theology, and culture, and he has written hundreds of essays, articles, stories, poems, ditties, songs, reviews, laments, recipes, monographs, and columns. His most recent books include The Courage and Character of Theodore Roosevelt, The Importance of the Electoral College and revised editions of The Christian Almanac and The Patriot's Handbook.
David Hagopian David (B.A., History; Minor, Classical Greek, Univ. of Calif., Irvine; Juris Doctor, Univ. of So. Cal.) is the founder of Precept Marketing Group, Inc. (PMG), a full-service marketing and advertising solutions firm serving the private sector, and Precept Outreach & Development, the ministry division of PMG that uses biblical principles and classical models of rhetoric to increase classical school enrollment. He has authored, co-authored, or edited a number of articles and books, including Back to Basics: Rediscovering the Richness of the Reformed Faith (P&R), The Genesis Debate: Three Views on the Days of Creation (Crux Press), and Always Reformed: A Dialogue of Differences within the Reformed Tradition (forthcoming, P&R). He also is the co-founder of, and a Teaching Elder at, Ancient Hope Reformed Church in Mission Viejo, California and lives in Orange County, California with his wife and four children.
John Hodges John is married to Day and has one son, Mason; and is a founding board member of Westminster Academy, Memphis. He works as Director of the Institute for the Arts and Cultural Apologetics (IACA) at Crichton College, and is Director of Music at Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis. He holds degrees in music (B.A.) and orchestral conducting (M.M.) respectively from University of Maryland and Indiana University.
Joe Ben House Ben and his wife, Stephanie, have four children: Nicholas, TaraJane, Nathaniel, and Lousia Caroline. Ben received a B.A. degree in history from the University of Arkansas at the little Rock and a M.Ed. degree from East Texas State University in Texarkana. He is the headmaster of Veritas Academy in Texarkana, Arkansas where he teaches history and literature.
Doreen Maxfield Howell Doreen and her husband, Ron, have one daughter, who is a rising senior at Regents School of Austin. Doreen received her B.S. in Education from Texas State University and her M. S. in Special Education at the University of Tennessee. Doreen is currently the Head of Grammar School at Regents School of Austin, a position she has held for the past eight of eleven years she has been with the school.
Lory Hundt Lory and her husband, Jay, have two children: Lauren and Michaela. Lory received her B.S. in Education from Carson-Newman College and her M.S. in Sports Medicine from the United States Sports Academy. She has taught Science for 24 years. Lory is presently teaching Science at the Dialectic and Rhetoric levels at Berean Academy in Tampa, Florida, where she has taught for six years.
Dr. Michael L. Johnson Michael Johnson is the Head of the School at Westminster Academy in Memphis, TN. He has taught at the Seminary, graduate and undergraduate levels in various places. He has served at Westminster since 1998, teaching Latin, Greek, Logic and Rhetoric. He has been married to Carolyn for 24 years. They have two children.
Ron Lee Ron, his wife BJ, and four children have been involved in Schaeffer Academy since its early beginnings in 1992. Two of their children have graduated from SA and the other two are currently a junior and sophomore. Ron is a permanent member of the SA board and had served in the chairman role up until 2004. He is also a permanent board member of ACCS. Schaeffer has grown from 78 students to a population of over 345 K-12 students and 40 staff and has undergone numerous building projects. He is employed as a systems analyst.
Gene Liechty Gene is a 1986 graduate of Indiana University with a degree in telecommunications/advertising and has worked as an account executive for Spiro & Associates Advertising (Philadelphia), as an account executive at Antkowiak Design Group (Baltimore), and as an associate in marketing for Gritman Medical Center (Moscow, ID) where he also studied in Greyfriars Hall. Since 2002 he has been the pastor of Christ Church, Cary NC as well as the Marketing and Development Director for Cary Christian School. He is the happy husband of Kimberly and the father of 4 adorable young children, pictures available on request.
Russ May Russ is married to Stephanie and is the father of Katie, Amy, Mac, and Ian. He has taught both fourth and fifth graders at Westminster Academy for 7 years.
Michael J. McKenna Mike and his wife Christine have five children, ranging in ages from 24 through 7: Tonia, Colleen, Seamus, Molly, and James. Mike has been the headmaster of Rockbridge Academy in Millersville, Maryland, since 2000. He has a BA in music education from Montclair State College, in Upper Montclair, New Jersey, and a Master’s degree in Christian school administration from Grace Theological Seminary in Winona Lake, Indiana. Mike has been leading student groups to Europe since 1999. In addition, he is the director of Rockbridge Academy’s bi-annual musical, having directed his students in full-length productions of The Music Man, and Fiddler on the Roof.
Christopher A. Perrin Chris has taught at Messiah College and Chesapeake Theological Seminary and has served as headmaster of Covenant Christian Academy in Harrisburg, PA since ids founding in 1997. He received his B.A. in history from the University of South Carolina, his M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary in California and his Ph.D. in Apologetics from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. H was also a special student in literature at St. Johns College in Annapolis. Chris is the author of the booklet An Introduction to Classical Education: A Guide for Parents and co-author of the Latin for Children series published by Classical Academic Press. Chris and his wife Christine live in Camp Hill, PA with their three children Zoe, Noelle and Noah.
Deborah Perry Deborah is the mother of two and grandmother of one. Deborah received her B.A. in English Literature from Western College for Women in Oxford, Ohio. She has taught at the University of Cincinnati and studied writing at Manhattanville College. At present, she teaches World Literature, Classical Literature and British Literature at Westminster Academy in Memphis, TN.
Barbara Post Barbara and her husband, Don, have five children and five grandchildren. Barbara has eight years teaching experience in classical Christian schools. She presently is the Kindergarten teacher of Tall Oaks Classical School in Hockessin, DE, where her husband, Don, is the Headmaster and a permanent board member of ACCS.
Andrew Pudewa Andrew is the director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing and a homeschooling father of seven. Presenting throughout North America, he addresses issues relating to teaching, writing, thinking, spelling, and music with clarity and insight, practical experience, and humor. His seminars for parents, students, and teachers have helped transform many a reluctant writer and have equipped educators with powerful tools to dramatically improve students’ skills. Although he is a graduate of the Talent Education Institute in Japan, and holds a Certificate of Child Brain Development from the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, his best endorsement is from a young Alaskan boy who called him “the funny man with the wonderful words.” He and his beautiful, heroic wife Robin currently teach their five youngest children at home in Atascadero, California.
Andrew L. Smith Andrew and Keri Smith live just outside of Memphis in Slayden, MS with their two children, Lizzie and Anna. Andrew received his B.A. in History from the university of Memphis, his M.Div. form Beeson Divinity School, and is currently working on his M.A. in Philosophy form the University of Memphis. Andrew presently teaches Rhetoric and Theology at Westminster Academy.
Dan Smithwick Dan, President of Nehemiah Institute, holds a B.S. degree in mathematics/ education from North Dakota State University. Dan has taught in both public and private schools and has been a board member of four Christian schools.
In 1986 Dan founded the Nehemiah Institute to function as a Christian education ministry. The Institute is a research foundation providing unique worldview testing and training materials to Christian educators. The testing program, known as PEERS Testing, has been used by nearly 1,000 high schools and colleges in all states in America and by various education groups in other countries.
Dan authored the PEERS Test and wrote a worldview study course entitled Developing a Biblical Worldview. Dan also contributed a chapter on worldview understanding in Dr. Ted Baehr’s book, The Media Wise Family. Dr. Baehr is president of the Christian Film & TV Commission.
Dan has been guest speaker on several Christian radio shows, including American Family Radio with Tim Wildmon, Issues & Education with Bob & Geri Boyd, Reasons for Faith, Paul Anderson, Point of View with Marlin Maddoux and That’s the Law with Dr. Herb Titus. He has also been a workshop speaker at several Christian school conferences.
Dan and his wife Faye of 36 years, also on staff at Nehemiah Institute, have five children and three grandchildren.
Nehemiah Institute has a 22-member advisory council including Dr. D. James Kennedy, Dr. Ronald Nash, and Dr. George Grant.
Tom Spencer Tom and his wife, Gwen, have four sons, Jeremy (Logos Class of 1998), Jacob (Logos Class of 2001), Justin (Logos 11th grade), and Jackson (Logos 4th grade). Tom and Gwen became grandparents for the first time last year when Jeremy and Sandy Spencer’s daughter Sophia was born in May. Tom is the secondary principal at Logos School in Moscow, Idaho. He teaches a course on the War Between the States and coaches the varsity boys’ basketball team. The past two years, his team has a combined record of 27-5. He is a founding board member of ACCS.
Suzanne Sullivan is an admissions officer at Belhaven College.
Laura Tucker Laura and her husband, Rob, have two sons (16 and 12). Laura and Rob are one of the founding families at Rockbridge Academy in Millersville, MD. Laura is a trained reading specialist with a master’s degree in Education and Reading with 22 years of experience. She is the Director of Instruction at the school.
Matt Whitling Matt and his wife, Tora, have six children: Josiah, Jed, Cotton, Miles, Bea, and Jasper. Matt received his B.A. in Liberal Studies from Fresno State University. He has taught students at the elementary and secondary level and is currently the Elementary Principal and part-time 6th grade teacher at Logos School in Moscow, ID.
Greg Wilbur Greg and his wife, Sophia, live in Franklin, Tennessee, with their daughter Eleanor. Greg has a B.A. in Music and a M.M. in Music Composition from the University of Alabama. For over ten years, he has taught the arts (music, drama, art history, and aesthetics) as well as literature and Rhetoric at Franklin Classical School, Bannockburn College, and in a homeschool co-op. He is the co-author with George Grant of The Christian Almanac and Christmas Spirit, and the author of the forthcoming Leaders in Action title about Johann Sebastian Bach. In addition to serving as Fine Arts Director at Christ Community Church where he directs the choir, plans liturgy, and leads monthly film and literature discussions, Greg is presently directing the study center elements of Kings Meadow Study Center¾a fifth year study program and continuing education for teachers and adults. As a composer, he has written two musicals for high school students and multiple compositions for choir, church, and concert stage.
Rob Williams Rob Williams has been involved in classical and Christian education since 1994 in the capacity of a classroom instructor or administrator. He was the headmaster of The Master’s School in San Marcos, Texas, 1996-1997. In 1997 he joined the faculty of Regents School of Austin. Whit at Regents he has been actively involved in curriculum development and teacher training. Rob is currently a grammar school instructor at Regents School of Austin. He and his wife, Terri, have two boys: Aidan and Duncan.
Douglas Wilson Douglas is the pastor of Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho. He is a founding board member of both Logos School and New Saint Andrews College, and serves as an instructor at Greyfriars’ Hall, a ministerial training program at Christ Church. He helped to establish the Confederation of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), is the editor of Credenda Agenda, and the author of numerous books on classical Christian education, the family, and the reformed faith. He served in the U.S. Navy in the submarine service, completed a B.A. and M.A. in philosophy, and a B.A. in classical studies all at the University of Idaho.
