By Stan Friedman<\/p>\n
CHICAGO, IL (September 5, 2007) \u2013 \u201cIt\u2019s amazing to look back and see where the hand of God has led you,\u201d says Joseph Jones, the new provost at North Park University. <\/p>\n
As Jones describes his journey to North Park and where he believes God is leading him, his own hands are in constant motion. His right hand punctuates the air for emphasis as he professes his desire for incorporating the Christian faith with higher education. His arms spread wide as he discusses the importance of diversity and inclusion. The arms stretch forward, hands pointed down with palms up as he declares, \u201cThis is my sacred calling, this is what I\u2019m made for!\u201d<\/p>\n
It was North Park\u2019s strong commitment to promoting the Christian faith in a diverse urban context that first attracted Jones to the job. He describes his position as the chief steward of the academic program as well as the faculty representative in the administration.<\/p>\n
In 1971, Jones graduated from the last segregated high school class in Norfolk, Virginia. The next year, he was walking on the campus of Colby College in Waterville, Maine, when he met a student who was wearing \u201ca large cross.\u201d Jones smiles as he recalls that Don Bell, who would become his lifelong friend, was from an upper-class white suburb of Boston.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe began to look at culture through each other\u2019s eyes,\u201d Jones says. \u201cI began to learn about the richness of the diversity of God\u2019s people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Christian universities have a wonderful opportunity to help students see that the subjects they study are part of something larger. The beauty and order of math and science can lead to wonder. \u201cThe heavens have declared the glory of God,\u201d Jones says. Social sciences can cause students to ask what God is doing in humanity. The arts raise the question of what is the source of creativity.<\/p>\n
Universities also are places where students are introduced to a broad spectrum of ideas \u201cso they can articulate what they think and believe about these things.\u201d Christian discourse also can be learned as potentially divisive issues are discussed, he adds.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven if I disagree with another person, I have a commitment to love them,\u201d he says, leaning forward on the table at which he is sitting. \u201cThat\u2019s at the core of who we are and what we do as Christians – love God with all our heart soul, mind, and strength, and our neighbors as ourselves. And we are to love all our neighbors, and not just our Christian neighbors.\u201d<\/p>\n
Loving one another will help people discuss the difficult issues, including diversity. \u201cDo I call you black, or do I call you African-American? Why worry about that?\u201d Jones asks. \u201cIt\u2019s more important that we love each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jones says he looks forward to helping faculty improve their skills, as well as improving and expanding programs. He was the founding dean of the School of Education and Social Sciences at Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania, and developed the Department of Justice Education at Taylor University in Fort Wayne, Indiana.<\/p>\n
\u201cFaculty development is like discipleship in some ways,\u201d he says. \u201cYou\u2019re taking experienced faculty to mentor younger faculty.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jones adds, \u201cMy responsibility is not just to empower faculty; it\u2019s also to learn from faculty. We all need each other because we all have different gifts.\u201d<\/p>\n
The new provost says strengthening a sense of community among faculty across disciplines is one of his chief desires. \u201cIt\u2019s our responsibility to model what we want our students to become.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jones plans to spend significant time building relationships with students as well as faculty. \u201cThis ultimately is all about our students and what is best for them,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s not about us.\u201d<\/p>\n
During his work at other schools, Jones and his wife, Yvette, frequently had students to their home. He has led mission trips to Africa as well as the Dominican Republic. Yvette is CEO of the Make-A-Wish Foundation in central Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n
Jones hopes to model for students and faculty a life dependent upon the words of Psalm 32:8 – \u201cI will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.\u201d<\/p>\n