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For most people, service in the military is a strenuous test of mettle, resolve, and inner strength. Dr. Randall Voorn '70 used his time in the armed forces to reinforce his commitment to Christ.

"The military tries to pull you away from your faith, and it can happen easily," says the Army veteran who served in the 1960s during the Vietnam War. "I didn't allow that to happen to me, and my faith is stronger. I am a better person for having endured that test.

"I also received a greater appreciation for what happens outside the United States. As I experienced what occurred politically, socially, and culturally in some Third World countries, I realized that many Americans typically do not understand those things. My eyes were opened to more realities of human life."

Voorn brings some of those experiences and viewpoints to his marketing students at Trinity, where he has taught since 1988. The Chicago native has more than 30 years of teaching, training, and consulting experience. Business students at Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management and the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management have benefited from his expertise, but teaching at a Christian college an added dimension that he prefers.

"My beliefs color what we do in the classroom and help keep everything in the right perspective. We look at ads from a technical standpoint and a Christian perspective. If I were teaching at a public institution, I'd have to change the way I teach because I wouldn't be permitted to examine marketing from a spiritual point of view."

In 1980, Voorn completed his master's in business administration at Lake Forest, and 10 years later, he received his doctoral degree in public policy analysis from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He continues his consulting and training work to keep current on the latest trends in the industry. He has traveled to more than 50 countries to meet with clients and conduct training sessions.

Despite his professional obligations, Voorn contributes to the Crossroads Bible Ministry, a Christian correspondence school for prisoners. As his background dictates, he trains the inmates in the foundational principles of the faith.

"I teach the basic lessons of what it means to be a Christian, sort of like Christianity 101. We try to present the information to them so they can grasp it easily, and we grade them to assess if they're learning the lessons and how they are growing spiritually."

Voorn and his wife, Wilma, have one son, James. The family attends Palos Heights Christian Reformed Church.