Meet
the Provost
Dr.
Liz Rudenga
When
Dr. Liz Rudenga agreed to become Trinity's interim provost in 2000, she
did so with the intent of resuming her teaching duties a year later. Those
teaching plans remain on hold today since Rudenga now occupies the provost's
chair on a full-time basis.
"The
College was conducting a national search," she recalled. "I had the chance
to get a sense of what the provost's office required as I taught education
classes at the same time. I felt the Lord calling me in this direction,
and a couple of people encouraged me to apply for full-time appointment."
Her
transfer from chair of the education department in 2001 came 20 years after
she started at Trinity as a part-time education professor. It was not easy
for her to switch gears, but she has embraced the challenge that administrative
leadership brings.
"I
love the different aspects of teaching: interacting with students, learning,
reading, and explaining ideas. It was difficult to give that up, but I
also felt that this was an opportunity to serve the College that I should
accept. I am able to help Trinity continually strive for academic excellence."
A native
of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Rudenga graduated from Calvin College in Grand
Rapids, Michigan, with a degree in elementary education. She completed
her master's at Purdue University Calumet in Hammond, Indiana, and her
doctorate at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. She also is
certified to teach special education, which she did for four years prior
to joining Trinity in 1981.
"I've
seen this College grow through adolescence into adulthood. Our faculty
is outstanding, our emphasis on faculty and student scholarship remains
strong, our community is becoming more diverse, and our facilities have
improved greatly. Our growth over the years has been remarkable, and I
want us to remain committed to our mission."
Since
she spends most of her working hours indoors, Rudenga enjoys many recreational
activities outdoors. Camping and hiking are her favorite leisure pursuits
because they take her "away from cell phones and email, and I can see the
beauty of this wonderful world that God has created."
While
a student at Calvin, she met her husband, Jack, whom she married in 1975.
They have three children -Sarah '02, Jayne '03, and Ben - and live in Dyer,
Indiana. They attend Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Lansing, Illinois.
