Ken Cukrowski

Dr. Ken Cukrowski has been appointed to dean of the College of Biblical Studies. Cukrowski has served the position in an interim capacity since last March.

Dr. Robert Rhodes, provost, sent an email to faculty and staff announcing the appointment on Thursday evening.

“Dr. Cukrowski brings extensive experience to this role, including 14 years in teaching and administrative roles at ACU,” Rhodes said in the email. “I appreciate Dr. Cukrowski’s willingness to serve in this capacity and am confident in his ability to lead the College of Biblical Studies.”

Last summer, Rhodes commissioned a search committee to review applications for the position, name and interview finalists and make a recommendation to the provost. The committee, led by Dr. John Weaver, dean of the library and educational technology, interviewed two finalists last month: Cukrowski and Dr. Mark Hamilton, associate dean of the Graduate School of Theology and professor of Old Testament.

Cukrowski, who served as associate dean for academics for 11 years, said his experience in the college helped him prepare for the position, and he he’s looking forward to working with the faculty and staff of the college.

However, the position, mostly administrative work, requires him to teach only one class per school year. He’s more than halfway through his second one.

“I love teaching. That’s why I’m teaching both semesters instead of just one,” he said. “I like being in contact with the students. I wasn’t trying to flee the classroom to do administrative work. That’s probably what I’ll miss the most, but this is an opportunity to serve.”

Cukrowski said the most noticeable changes students may notice would include the undergraduate Department of Sociology and Family Studies’ move into the college, the college’s work with the recently begun Siburt Institute of Church Ministry and an increased effort to include more required CORE and Bible classes in online summer listings, which will provide more classes students said they’d be interested in.

Cukrowski served as vice provost before succeeding Dr. Jack Reese, who stepped down from the position as dean last February.

The academic year began with interim deans leading three colleges and search committees planning to find the next permanent deans of the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education and Human Services and the CBS. All three interims were recommended by the committees and appointed by the provost. Dr. Greg Straughn in the CAS and Dr. Donnie Snider in the CEHS were appointed in December.