The College of Biblical Studies Dean Search Committee has selected three candidates for campus interviews.
On Jan. 8, Provost Robert Rhodes announced in an email to faculty and staff that the search committee would be interviewing Dr. Ken Cukrowski, Dr. Mark Hamilton and Dr. Eddie Sharp for the position of dean of the College of Biblical Studies.
Hamilton is associate dean of the Graduate School of Theology and professor of Old Testament. Sharp received his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees from ACU, was the preaching minister at University Church of Christ for 30 years and is a member of the Board of Trustees. Cukrowski has served as interim dean of the College of Biblical Studies since March and is an associate professor of New Testament.
Rhodes said that while the qualifications for all deans are fundamentally the same, the CBS dean plays an important spiritual role for the university.
“It is a unique college on the campus in the sense that it is one that we all feel kindred ownership with, in the sense that it represents a core aspect of who we are and in many ways why we’re here,” Rhodes said. “The collective interest of the institution is probably greater for this college than maybe some of our other colleges.”
Dr. Jack Reese, professor of preaching, stepped down from his position as CBS dean in February and Cukrowski succeeded him in an interim capacity. A search committee was formed in August, chaired by Dr. John Weaver, dean of library services and educational technology.
Weaver said the committee conducted surveys in the College of Biblical Studies to form a document outlining the responsibilities and qualifications of the dean, including spiritual leadership, vision for the department and academic and administrative leadership. This document was then refined by a focus group. The document’s guidelines led the committee to nominate Cukrowski, Hamilton and Sharp.
“With all of the interviews, we were looking for someone who we felt could exemplify, might exemplify, the job qualifications which we’ve laid out,” Weaver said. “We’re looking for someone whose history demonstrates a commitment to the mission and values of ACU, but who also has exemplary academic qualifications and also administrative qualifications.”
Cukrowski will interview Jan. 22-23, Hamilton will interview Jan.28-29 and Sharp will interview Feb. 12-13. Rhodes said the decision will not be rushed, but he may make the appointment as soon as March.
