Get to Know Some of Your Favorite Professors and Why They Chose to Teach

I believe teachers provide so much more for us than just lecture material. They encourage us and walk alongside us, and do not get enough credit for all the amazing things they do that deeply affect the lives of so many students. This piece seeks to honor a few of our notable professors at CCU and to learn more about their background and why they felt called to become a teacher. Thank you to all the teachers out there that do so much for us.
– Love, Your Students

David Kotter, Dean of the School of Theology and Professor of New Testament Studies

“The Lord saved me when I was an undergraduate student studying engineering at the University of Illinois. After that I pursued an MBA and ended up working for Ford Motor Company in their European manufacturing operations. When God called me into ministry, I left Ford to study at Trinity Evangelical Divinity school and was invited to plant a church north of Chicago. I loved being a pastor, but later felt called to earn a PhD to be able to teach the Bible more. In God’s kindness to me, that is what opened the door to serve here at CCU. I am passionate about teaching college students because they are the future of the church and this country. Also, the years spent studying at a university can lay a solid foundation for the rest of life. While I love to be in the classroom, I also enjoy traveling overseas to Israel with groups of students and also to have them over to my home for biblical discussions at Friday Night Light. As the pandemic is resolved, I am looking forward to restarting these events.” – David Kotter

Julie Woodman, Assistant Professor of Biology

“I am a Colorado native but am rare in that I prefer the mountains in the summer rather than the winter. My husband is the Dean of Students at Heritage Highschool in Littleton with a social studies background. We have two girls and a poorly behaved dog. In our free time, I love to coach my daughters’ soccer teams, do puzzles with my family, and go for long runs.

I have always loved scientific exploration, moving from a microscope kit as a child to receiving a B.S. in biochemistry from CSU in Fort Collins. The intricate details of creation amazed me and ultimately prompted me to pursue a Ph.D. in molecular biology from the University of Colorado Anschutz. I am now in my 6th year teaching at CCU and I absolutely LOVE the classroom and I love mentoring students in undergraduate research. I consider it a privilege to be able to guide students through their scientific exploration while also examining how our faith can be strengthened by what we learn.

I have always enjoyed teaching and I began teaching college biology courses while in graduate school. I quickly discovered the joy that accompanied sharing my passion for science with students who are eager to learn. I love my interactions with students in the classroom, in the lab, and while performing research. I love being able to discuss intersections of faith and science with my students. I love being a part of a student’s success story. I do not take any of these tasks lightly. I truly feel called to this profession and I pray every day that God equips me to do His will here.” – Julie Woodman

Gary Steward, Assistant Professor of History

“I grew up on a farm in South Dakota and have always loved books. I have always loved reading and learning, and this led me to become a history major in university. I then studied to be a pastor in Minneapolis and Louisville. After this, I pastored a church for close to seven years in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, before doing my doctoral work on church history and historical theology.

I have always loved teaching and feel that it is my passion and calling. While I was a pastor in Newfoundland, the part I enjoyed the most was the teaching and working with university students! This caused me to question my calling as a pastor and led me to pursue a career in teaching. I believe that God leads us through our desires and passions, and I’m so glad he has led me to be a professor at CCU!” – Gary Steward

Jonathan Dimos, Assistant Professor of Psychology

“I am alumni of CCU. I got my Masters in Counseling here when Larry Crabb was running the counseling program. I’m a Licensed Psychologist with experience in individual and couples counseling, psychological assessment, missionary care, and research.
Teaching wasn’t on my radar at all until after I got my Masters degree and my wife and I lived in China for a year teaching at a university. I loved teaching much more than I expected and started wondering if it was something I might want to do as a career. We moved back to the States and I got a job as an RD at Bethel University in Minnesota. It was a great opportunity to stay connected to the Christian university system and get some more teaching experience, which really confirmed that it is what I wanted to pursue.” – Jonathan Dimos

Stay tuned for part two with more of your favorite professors!