By Jaci Schneider, Opinion Editor
Officials recently announced that six faculty members have been granted tenure. Those six and two others also received promotions.
When faculty members have tenure, they have permanent appointments to the university. Thus, instead of signing a contract each year, they have more job security, said Dr. Tim Sensing, who was promoted to associate professor of the Graduate School of Theology and received tenure. He has taught at the university for six-and-a-half years.
“The tenure-promotion process is a long process, and it’s a relief to be done,” Sensing said. “They can only fire me now because of certain causes.”
Dr. Ken Cukrowski, associate professor of Bible, missions and ministry, has taught for six years and said another benefit of tenure is the opportunity to apply for a sabbatical, which he said was his main motivation in applying for it.
Dr. Junhui Bian, who was promoted to associate professor of biology and granted tenure, said he loves the mission of the university, and he’s glad to know his work here is appreciated by his colleagues and the administration.
Many newly tenured faculty members expressed their gratitude at being appreciated.
“This is a really good feeling,” said Dr. Jeanene Reese, who was promoted to associate professor of Bible, missions and ministry and granted tenure. This is Reese’s 13th year at the university, and she said she wants to be a role model as a female faculty member in the department.
Dr. Jason Holland, who was promoted to associate professor of mathematics and computer science and received tenure, said he applied for tenure because he and his wife decided they wanted to raise their son in Abilene.
“It feels good to be acknowledged by my peers,” Holland said. He has taught at the university for about four years, but not sequentially.
Dr. Rusty Towell was promoted to associate professor of physics and granted tenure. Dr. Patricia Hern�ndez was promoted to professor of biology, and Dr. Scott Perkins was promoted to professor of psychology.
