English department associate professor and chair Natasha Duquette will step into the role of associate dean at Tyndale University College and Seminary in Toronto, Canada this coming fall after being recruited by the chair of Tyndale’s philosophy department.
While Biola searches for Duquette’s replacement, associate professor of English Aaron Adams will serve as the English department chair for the 2014-2015 school year, according to Cassandra Van Zandt, associate provost of core curriculum.
Homecoming
Duquette, who is a Canadian and sojourner in the United States, said she found herself thinking in the quiet of her room about Toronto not long after being recruited for the position and suddenly cried for joy.
During a Youtube search of Brian Stiller to find out more about Tyndale before her arrival, Duquette found Stiller’s words describing his work at Tyndale to be comforting in her decision process.
“It wasn’t me looking for a job opportunity. They contacted me, I listened to the man who turned Tyndale from Bible college to university, and I felt moved by the Holy Spirit to pursue the opportunity… God got my attention, and so I was open to what He wanted me to do,” Duquette said.
Students and coworkers reflect
Van Zandt said she believes Duquette’s impression on Biola’s campus is what will cause people to feel her absence as many seem to be emotional about Duquette’s move.
Biola alumna Sara Brio said Duquette challenged her to think critically about assignments and Brio left Duquette’s classes as a more confident and passionate. Kristi Yumen, senior and double major in psychology and journalism, also said she was encouraged by Duquette in the classroom setting.
“She is kind of quirky and endearing in the way she speaks and laughs in the middle of her sentences. She shared a piece of her testimony with the class on the very first day which was such a sign of her openness, sincerity and willingness to be real and vulnerable,” said Kristi Yumen, senior double-major in psychology and journalism.
As an avid teacher of Jane Austen, Duquette describes one of her favorite moments as learning from one of her interterm students. Duquette said she appreciated the maturity and professionalism of the students, but most importantly having something pointed out to her in a novel she had read hundreds of times.
“Maci Moghtaderi pointed out the differences between the characters Henry Crawford and Edmund Bertram in Mansfield Park and how they reflected people’s attitudes toward preaching. I had read the novel many times, and I never noticed that before… If I hadn’t assigned a student presentation on Austen and religion, I still may not have known. She may not have seen it,” Duquette said.
In her professional work, faculty who worked with Duquette know her to be a close friend and found joy teaching alongside her.
Andy Draycott, associate professor of biblical and theological studies, found himself delighted by her generosity as a professor and intellectual in co-teaching the integration seminar Pilgrim’s Progress and It’s Legacy with Duquette over this past semester.
“She is wonderfully disposed to see the best in both texts and students. Her joy for her subject cannot help but be infectious. I have learned much about how to teach with a winsome combination of high expectations and gentleness,” Draycott said.
