Heart&Mind
Summer 2005
• Letter from Leland V. Elliason
• Bethel Wears Army Boots
  • In Honor of Chaplain Linda Norlien
  • Email from Iraq
  • NASC Chaplain Named Military BBBS Volunteer of the Year
  • Military Chaplains - What Do They Really Do?
  • Q&A with Chaplain Major John Moris
  • The Ultimate Sacrifice
  • Reporting for Spiritual Duty in Iraq
  • Army Chaplian Earns Two Bronze Stars
• Ralph Hammond's Most Lasting Gift
  • Building on the Legacy
• An Extraordinary Fount
• Campus News
  • Gov. Declairs May 6th Bethel University Day
  • University Pastor Says Goodbye
  • The Art of Healing
  • Bethel Off Campus
  • Theology Professor Completes Bethel Tenure
  • Peace Poll Planted and Dedicated
  • Transformation: Our Calling and Our Mission
• Giving Back
• Reader Reviews
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March 1, 2005, was a historic day at Bethel Seminary, marking perhaps the only time that the three seminary deans began their service simultaneously. Installed during the service were David M. Howard Jr., dean of the Center for Biblical and Theological Foundations and professor of Old Testament; Carla M. Dahl, dean of the Center for Spiritual and Personal Formation, professor of marriage and family studies, and director of the marriage and family studies program; and Gregory W. Bourgond, dean of the Center for Transformational Leadership and vice president for seminary operations and strategic initiatives.

The theme of the event was “Transformation: Our Calling and Our Mission,” and each dean provided a unique perspective on transformation as they presented their remarks. Leland Eliason, executive director and provost of the seminary, offered a prayer of dedication, and Leith Anderson, senior pastor of Wooddale Church, Eden Prairie, Minn., and chair of Bethel’s Board of Trustees, commissioned the deans. Bethel University President George K. Brushaber closed the service with a prayer of commissioning, and a lunch reception followed the service.

David M. Howard Jr.

Dean of the Center for Biblical and Theological Foundations and Professor of Old Testament

David Howard has lived in Costa Rica and Colombia as the son of missionary parents. He and his wife Jan have two daughters, Christina and Melody, and live in Shoreview, Minn.

Howard earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa., a master’s degree in theological studies (Old Testament) from Wheaton College, and a doctorate in Near Eastern studies from the University of Michigan. His teaching extends back to 1982, when he taught Old Testament and Hebrew at Bethel Seminary for eight years, at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School for seven years, and at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary for three years. In addition, he has been a visiting professor at several other seminaries.

Howard has served on the executive committee of the Evangelical Theological Society since 2000, and as its president in 2003. He is also active in the Society of Biblical Literature. He has authored five books: Fascinating Bible Facts: People, Places and Events (1992); An Introduction to the Old Testament Historical Books (1993); The Structure of Psalms 93-100 (1997); Joshua (1998); and Giving the Sense: Understanding and Using Old Testament Historical Texts (2003).

Carla M. Dahl

Dean of the Center for Spiritual and Personal Formation, Professor of Marriage and Family Studies, and Director of the Marriage and Family Studies Program

Carla Dahl grew up as a “preacher’s kid.” Her parents served several Baptist General Conference churches in the Midwest while she and her three brothers were growing up, and she dedicated her life to Jesus Christ at the age of eight.

Dahl earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Bethel College, a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the College of St. Thomas, and a doctorate in family social science from the University of Minnesota. In 1995, she developed Bethel Seminary’s marriage and family therapy program, and continues to serve as its director. She also served two years as vice president for the religion and family section of the National Council on Family Relations.

Her experience includes 23 years of counseling and family life education, and she has taught at both the graduate and undergraduate levels at the University of Minnesota, Saint Mary’s University, and Bethel University. Dahl’s awards include the Seminary Faculty Excellence Award (1998) and the New Teaching Excellence Award (1993).

Gregory W. Bourgond

Dean of the Center for Transformational Leadership and Vice President for Seminary Operations and Strategic Initiatives

Greg Bourgond grew up on the border between Canada and Michigan. He joined the Navy in 1968, and accepted Christ as his Savior five years later. He and his wife Debbie celebrated 35 years of marriage in 2004. The Bourgonds have a daughter, Monique, and four grandsons: Braeden, Kieran, Gaelan, and Lochlan.

Bourgond earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Chapman University, an M.Div. and D.Min. in church leadership from Bethel Seminary, and an Ed.D. in instructional technology and distance education from Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale. He has also completed post-graduate work at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, and retired from the U.S. Navy Reserves as a naval officer in 2000.

His previous experience includes 10 years in the defense industry and commercial business and more than 14 years in various ministry positions. He is also vice president of operations and strategic initiatives; operations director of the School for Executive Leadership of Bethel University; a consultant and teacher; president and founder of Heart of a Warrior Ministries; and a frequent retreat speaker. •