Nearly 18 years ago, in October 2006, Barbara VanderWerf was recruited to 麻豆传媒 (PBA) to work as the executive assistant to the provost.听
鈥淚 was not really looking, but when approached about the possibility, I decided to go ahead and walk through the door God opened,鈥� she explained. 鈥淥nce I was at PBA, I knew it was the Lord that led me here. It was nothing short of His divine appointment for that time.鈥澨�听
Almost two decades and several different roles later, Professor VanderWerf has had a profound impact on both students and faculty alike. In 2014, she began teaching as an adjunct professor, and in 2015 she transferred to the Rinker School of Business (RSB) to teach full-time.听听
鈥淓ach step of the way, God has been faithful,鈥� she said.听听
VanderWerf Receives the Charles and Hazel Corts Award 听
In August 2024, Professor VanderWerf received the Charles and Hazel Corts Award for Outstanding Teaching during PBA鈥檚 annual Community Day, where faculty and staff gather to pray, worship and thank God for the upcoming school year. She was nominated by both students and faculty.听 听
鈥淩eceiving the Corts award means so much to me. It is affirmation that the effort put into making learning engaging and meaningful really does matter,鈥� Professor VanderWerf said. 鈥淚鈥檓 humbled and honored to receive this award, and shocked too. I am grateful for the support and collaboration of my colleagues in the business school and across campus.鈥�听
When announcing Professor VanderWerf鈥檚 award, Dr. Debra A. Schwinn, president of PBA, spoke highly of her, praising her for her character, integrity and commitment to serving the Lord and upholding PBA鈥檚 mission to equip students to grow in wisdom, lead with conviction and serve God boldly. 听
鈥淭his professor is loved by students… she is encouraging, always has time, and makes an effort to understand,鈥� shared Dr. Schwinn as she read some of the nomination comments. 鈥淪he challenges students to critically examine decisions in their discipline through an ethical framework.鈥� 听
VanderWerf鈥檚 Heart for Student Success and Financial Freedom听
Professor VanderWerf teaches several classes at PBA, including Leadership and Ethics, Management, and Financial Literacy, a three-credit elective she developed after watching students struggle with financial stress. She has now taught over 300 students in that class.听
鈥淚 studied financial literacy, and I am a financial coach, so I had a deep desire to develop a course at PBA to help our students learn basic concepts so they can make wise decisions,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 just couldn鈥檛 let it go.鈥澨�听
The Creation of PBA鈥檚 Center for Financial Literacy听
In November 2023, PBA announced the creation of the RSB鈥檚 Center for Financial Literacy (CFL), and Professor VanderWerf became the inaugural director. Since its launch, the CFL has held events, provided financial coaching and developed relationships in the community. Professor VanderWerf is most excited about the CFL鈥檚 creation of the 鈥淔inLit Team,鈥� which consists of a team of students being trained in financial literacy so they can provide peer-to-peer coaching and find opportunities to serve the community.听听
鈥淭he Bible has over 2,000 verses on money and possessions. There is no shortage of instruction鈥� said Professor VanderWerf. 鈥淔inancial stress and anxiety are on the rise. Refocusing the students鈥� purpose to 鈥榤anage God鈥檚 resources鈥� wisely is the goal. We are not called to anxiety; we are called to peace.鈥澨�听
A Full Heart听
Professor VanderWerf is thankful to play a small role in helping shape the lives of her students. 听
鈥淗aving an impact on just one student reaffirms my purpose here at PBA. Whether academically, spiritually, being a touchpoint of encouragement, or cheering on our athletes, I count it a privilege to be a small part of a student鈥檚 experience at PBA,鈥� she shared. 鈥淢ultiply that impact by thousands of students since I started at PBA, and my heart is full.鈥�听
Other PBA Employees Recognized for Years of Service听
The following staff and faculty were also awarded for their time and commitment to PBA over the years: 听听
5 Years of Service:听
Kyle May, Wendy Eynon, Joseph Sowers, Sean Cunningham, Christina Batoh, Vivian Fernand Narcisse, Kyle Faircloth, Ciprian Stan, Beth Ross, Alex Hubley, Brad Seitz听
Megan Konynenbelt, Nicholas Timbinaris, Wispeny Ellis, Cole Helman, Brittany Carlton-Wauford, Kathleen Lovanice, Ashton Twaddell, Noelle Giordano, Lari Beckley, Keegan Turner, Yolanda Hardy, Kat Rumell, Laura Rendon Finnell and Jessica Lendoiro听
10 Years of Service:听听
Jeremy Bonta, Christine Fink, Ariel Viale, Robert Hegna, Angela Witmer, Mike Griffin,听
Ryan Gladwin, Dan Read, Edwin Santini, Judy Enyart, Crystal Twaddell, Craig Watson and Lisa Aaron听听
15 Years of Service:听听
Erin Dorval, Suzanne Cardona, Don Piper, Krisy Thornby, Nathan Maxwell, Tim Eichner and Cyndi Hilson听
20 Years of Service:听听
Karelynne Ayayo, David Pounds, Paul Copan and Tom Fowler听
25 Years of Service:听听
Mark Kaprive and Philip Henry听
30 Years of Service:听听
Donna Fowler听
35 Years of Service:听
Beate Rodewald听
