Distinguished Senior Fellows
|
|
Shawn Akers, M.A., J.D.Vice ProvostEducation
|
Biography
Shawn Akers regularly works with conservative faith-based leaders and organizations at the national level, addressing matters of public policy, lobbying, and elections. He serves on the advisory council of National Public Policy Strategy Coalition and he regularly participates in the Military Culture Coalition, a council of experts and leaders on national defense and military readiness, headed by Elaine Donnelly.
Akers has also:
- Served as a policy analyst with Liberty Counsel
- Drafted a variety of scholarly and popular articles and policy analysis
- Been a frequent guest or co-host on national radio programs discussing political and public policy issues
- Provided counsel to public officeholders
- Served as a consultant to political candidates and campaigns
As a private practice attorney, Akers represented clients in state and federal trial and appellate courts, including the Louisiana Supreme Court. While in private practice, he served as a member of the Louisiana Bar Association House of Delegates.
|
|
Joseph Brewer, Ph.D.Associate Dean for Research, College of Osteopathic MedicineAssociate Professor of ImmunologyChair, Department of Molecular and Cellular Sciences
Education
|
Biography
Dr. Brewer earned a BS in Molecular Biology at Auburn University (’90) and a PhD in Immunology at Duke University (’95). He then completed a post-doctoral fellowship in cell biology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Dr. Brewer came to LUCOM with 14 years of faculty experience in medical and graduate education in the biomedical sciences, teaching
immunology and mentoring students in the laboratory.
Dr. Brewer served on the faculty at the Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University, Chicago, for 8 years and then at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine for 6 years. His research focuses on a cellular stress response mechanism, termed the unfolded protein response, and on the function of B-lymphocytes in the immune system.
Dr. Brewer and his wife, Pamela, have 2 daughters and a son. Together, they enjoy outdoor activities, sightseeing, and serving in their home church, especially working with children.
View Dr. Joseph Brewer's Biography in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
|
|
Keith Faulkner, J.D.Dean, School of LawProfessor of Law
Education
|
Biography
B. Keith Faulkner joined the Liberty University family on October 1, 2015, as dean of the School of Law. Prior to coming to Liberty, Faulkner gained valuable experience during his tenure at Campbell Law School. His team prepared students to lead the state in both first-time bar passage on numerous occasions and in overall bar passage during his nine years at Campbell Law. He served as the law school project manager for the construction/repurposing of a 110,000 square foot law school facility and coordinated all logistics to support the move of the law school from Buies Creek to downtown Raleigh, North Carolina. While interim dean, Campbell Law realized the institution’s highest rankings as a top tier law school in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Graduate Schools 2014 guidebook; competed for three national championships (earning the title at the 2013 South Texas Mock Trial Challenge); created the Campbell Connections Mentorship Program, Public Interest Fellow Program, and the “Study & Service in Panama” mission trip; established the Norman Adrian Wiggins Law Faculty & Staff Endowed Scholarship; enjoyed a 100 percent faculty and staff participation in the annual university-wide employee giving campaign; and added nine new endowed scholarships.
Faulkner holds his J.D. and M.B.A. from Campbell and his B.S. in business administration from Charleston Southern University.
Professionally, Faulkner enjoys developing effective and exceptional teams that deliver superior education and support to students. Personally, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Patty, and his three children, Hannah, Erin, and Ryan.
View Dr. Keith Faulkner's Biography in the Rawlings School of Divinity
|
|
Christopher Gnanakan, Ph.D.Professor of Theological and Global StudiesEducation
|
Biography
Dr. Gnanakan has served at Liberty University since 2014 as a faculty member in the Rawlings School of Divinity. His Academic expertise is in Theological Studies, Global Studies, and World Religions. Professor Gnanakan has more than 20 years of experience in teaching, preaching, counseling and leaders in the in international settings. In that experience he has also been involved in Church planting, pastoring, and partnering with mission organizations.
He has written several academic and lay curriculums for Churches and Christian organizations. Dr. Gnanakan has also published several books including: Charismata and Compassion, Lambert Academic Press, Saarbrucken, Germany, 2012. Angels and Demons, “Wounded Warrior-Healer”, Illinois, Apollos / IVP, 2007. South Asia Biblical Commentary, “First & Second Peter”, Langham Press, forthcoming.
Dr. Gnanakan is also the Executive Director of Outreach to Asia Nationals (OTAN), which is headquartered in Winchestor VA. He is also a member of Global Alliance for Church Multiplication (GACM), World Evangelical Association (WEA) Dynamic Church Planting International (DCPI), Missio Nexus, and Board:15:20 Coalition.
View Dr. Chris Gnanakan's Biography in the Rawlings School of Divinity
|
|
Ed Hindson, Ph.D.Dean Emeritus, Rawlings School of DivinityDean, Institute of Biblical StudiesDistinguished Professor of ReligionEducation
|
Biography
Dr. Hindson has served as a visiting lecturer at Oxford University and the Harvard Divinity School, as well as numerous evangelical seminaries including Dallas, Denver, Trinity, Grace, and Westminster. He has taught over 50,000 students in the past 25 years. His solid academic scholarship, combined with a dynamic and practical teaching style, communicate biblical truth in a powerful and positive manner.
He has authored over 40 books, including:
- “The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics”
- “The Essence of the Old Testament: A Survey”
- “Matthew: The King is Coming”
He also served as general editor or co-editor of the following:
- “Knowing Jesus Study Bible” (Gold Medallion award-winning)
- “King James Study Bible”
- “King James Bible Commentary”
- “Twenty-First Century Bible Commentary” (16th volume)
Hindson and his wife Donna reside in Forest, Va., and have three children and six grandchildren.
View Dr. Ed Hindson's Biography in the Rawlings School of Divinity
|
|
Gary D. Isaacs, Jr., Ph.D.Associate Professor of BiologyBiology/Chemistry Department in the School of Health Sciences
|
Biography
Dr. Gary Isaacs was born in Milford, Delaware in 1977. He married Jami Crissman in 2002 and together they have three children: Andrew (2004), Mia (2006) and Rachel (2008). He joined the Liberty faculty in 2009, ten years after graduating from the biology program here at Liberty. His current research interests relate to gene regulation in eukaryotes, as well as techniques using DNA methodologies.
View Dr. Gary Isaac's Biography in the School of Health Sciences
|
|
Linda Mintle, Ph.D.Chair, Division of Behavioral HealthDepartment of Primary CareCollege of Osteopathic MedicineEducation
|
Biography
Linda Mintle is a licensed clinical social worker, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and an approved supervisor for the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy with postgraduate training from the Family Therapy Practice Center in Georgetown.
Prior to her appointment with the College of Osteopathic Medicine, Mintle served on the faculty of Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) in both the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Clinical Pediatrics. Mintle completed her internships at the Beach Center for Infertility, Endocrinology and IVF in Virginia Beach, Va., and the Veterans Administration Hospital in Battle Creek, Mich.
Mintle also taught in the doctoral psychology programs at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill., and Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va. She directed the Eastern Virginia Family Therapy Clinic at EVMS as well as Family Services at the Florida Mental Health Institute at the University of South Florida.
The author of 15 books, numerous chapters and articles, Mintle hosts her own radio shows and is a national news contributor on mental health issues. Her research and clinical interests include: eating disorders, obesity, infertility, and anxiety disorders.
View Dr. Linda Mintle's Biography in the College of Osteopathic Medicine
|
|
Samuel Smith, Ph.D.Chair, Department of HistoryDirector of Graduate ProgramProfessor of History
Education
|
Biography
Samuel Smith received his B.A. (Bible) and M.A. (Church History) from Bob Jones University and his Ph.D. (History) from the University of South Carolina. His primary research interest is in the intellectual and religious development of the Colonial and Revolutionary South. He has various publications in his field including A Cautious Enthusiasm: Mystical Piety and Evangelicalism in Colonial South Carolina (University of South Carolina Press, 2013). Dr. Smith has taught history on the high school and college levels. He is married to Rebecca and has four children: Kendra, Logan, Kayla, and Haddon.
View Dr. Samuel Smith's Biography in the Department of History