I was not a religion major at Jewell, so I only took one religion class, Origins of Christianity, with Dr. Brad Chance, but that one class was one of the most influential classes I took. Professor Chance taught me to read the Bible with critical thought and an understanding that when I read the biblical text, I do so with a lens formed out of teachings from my parents, Sunday school teachers and pastors. Therefore, what the biblical text says to me is influenced, at least in part, by the preconceptions I bring to the text. That helped me understand how Christians in different denominations could read the same biblical text and sincerely differ on the meaning, even with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This understanding, along with several wonderful friends at Jewell, lead me to grow in my faith, taking me on a journey from my childhood Pentecostal church to evangelicalism.

I will always be thankful for the tough-love teaching of my parents and Pentecostal church, but I will also always be thankful for the teaching of Professor Chance who opened my understanding of the Bible. Having grown up in Liberty, I did not think I wanted to go to Jewell, but I am very thankful I did. Had I gone to an equally good but secular college, I am sure I would have received an excellent education, but at Jewell I receive not only an education for a career but for my life! I truly believe one of the things that makes Jewell special is its Christian heritage. I pray the board of trustees and President MacLeod Walls will reconsider their ill-conceived decision to dissolve Jewell’s Religion Department.

But, unfortunately that’s not the only reason for my post today. Drs. Horne & Chance are retiring because William Jewell College has decided to dissolve the Religion department all together. While Religion will still be taught in the “History” department, it will no longer be an official aspect of the education offered at Jewell. This is such a shame for so many reasons. Not only was this department influential on almost every student who walked through the doors of WJC, as everyone was required to take religion course as part of one’s liberal arts education, but the Religion faculty were key players in teaching students to think critically about our world & to challenge the assumptions with which we entered college.

It was a matter of “a cost-benefit analysis.” While I don’t know the costs associated with running the department, the benefit of religion in today’s society – – especially religious study that is critical and honest, that advocates for the oppressed and never shies away from challenging the status quo – – is one not to be dismissed. In a society obsessed with self, religion can offer belief in and submission to that which transcends self. It can offer a moral compass in a world floundering for direction. While there may not have been many of us who chose Religion as a major, countless students at WJC have been impacted by the mark this department left on campus. I have had many reasons to be proud of my alma mater in the past, but this decision has left me disappointed, sad, and even angry, especially on behalf of the students who will be losing out on the opportunity for sacred and crucial self-growth for years to come.

Fellow Jewell alumni, if you feel similarly, I encourage you to make your disapproval known. And, if that doesn’t feel great to you, then at least make your gratitude known—tell WJC, the Office of the Chaplain, Drs. Horne & Chance & Pratt what your religious education meant to you during your time at Jewell. Please help me in showing them the “benefit” of this department. They need to hear it, they deserve to hear it.