Tabor instructor has works published
By CATHY FISHER
Contributing writer
Chris Dick, a Tabor College alumnus and now an instructor of English at Tabor, is a man of many talents. One of these talents cam to light when the online magazine Mennonite Life published two poems written by him.
Although he has never before been published, creative writing has always been an interest and a hobby for Dick.
In the summer of 2001, he decided to submit a poem, "At the Fireworks Stand, July 4, 9:00 p.m.," to Mennonite Life magazine. Mennonite Life is an online publication, produced by Bethel College, North Newton, that promotes current Mennonite scholarship and various pieces of creative literature.
"It published articles and pieces of art that somehow speak to Mennonite identity, or Mennonite ideas, and that kind of intrigued me," Dick said. "I had this poem that I'd been working on, and I decided I'd send it in and see what happens."
The magazine contacted him in the fall of 2001 and asked for a second piece. Dick submitted a poem titled "Kansas: Fall in Wartime." Both poems were accepted and published in the magazine's December issue.
The road that brought Dick to this personal and professional triumph has held many twists.
Born and raised in Hillsboro, Dick attended Tabor from 1989 to 1993, where he was active as a student. He was a member of choir and band. He also had significant parts in at least three different plays. In his junior year, he was a resident assistant and involved in both the Student Activity Board and the Youth Conference committee.
In 1993, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in history and education. At this time, Dick decided that he wanted to spend some time abroad, and he set off for Germany as a part of the exchange program Intermenno. Intermenno is sponsored by European Mennonite churches to encourage young people to travel and work in foreign countries.
Dick graduated in 1996 with a bachelors' degree in English. At that time, he chose to attend graduate school at the University of Kansas where he earned a Master's degree in English language and literature. As a part of the program, Dick completed a verse translation of "Beowulf," a classic piece of British literature written in Old English.
In August of 1997, Dick married Christine Crouse. When he graduated from KU in 1998, he and his wife moved to Lancaster, Penn., where he taught English at Lancaster Mennonite High School.
But once again, God chose to call him back to Tabor after only one year in Pennsylvania.
"We were all set to stay out there for a while, and I was having a good experience there," Dick said. "Then this position opened up. I was kind of interested, knowing that I eventually wanted to find a college position, but I was looking to get more experience at the high school level first."
Howard Keim, vice president of academic affairs and dean of faculty, was a member of the search committee that eventually hired Dick. Keim recalls that the committee was initially concerned by the fact that Dick did not have a doctorate or any experience above the high school level. However, after reviewing several candidates, the committee decided that Dick was the best choice.
"All of his references were very good," Keim said. "Where we began to think in long terms, it became quite clear that Chris was the person for the job."
Dick became an instructor of English at Tabor College in 1999. The transition was not easy. Not only was he transferring from a high school to a college setting, he was returning to teach at his own alma mater.
Many of the transitions were positive, however. Dick enjoys the fact that the maturity level of the students allows him to pay closer attention to the subject matter instead of focusing on classroom management, as he felt he was doing at the high school level. Dick also enjoys the extra time to research and prepare for classes.
"The subject matter is, of course, more complex here than when teaching high school," Dick said. But having more time to prepare and research kind of helped offset the fact that it was a different level."
Dick says that the most awkward transition was learning to see his former professors as his colleagues.
"Some people have left already, but a bunch of people are still here, and so that makes it a little bit interesting to feel that these people are now my colleagues who were once my professors," Dick said. "That's a little bit strange."
Nevertheless, Dick was able to make it through these transitions because he considers Tabor his home.
"One thing that made the transition easier was that I am familiar with this place," Dick said. "It was kind of coming home for me. I know the place really well, and I know the people and so in some ways, that helped me ease the transition, because I felt at home here."
Another aspect of Tabor that made the transition easier is the fact that Dick believes in the college's mission and identity as a Christian liberal arts college. Although he has observed many other cultures and religions, he fells that there is a place for Mennonite theology and teaching. He also feels that Tabor offers a very distinctive atmosphere that can't be found in many places.
"I like my job and I like what I do during the day. But if I didn't believe in the place - if I were here just to get a paycheck - I don't think I'd stay," Dick said. "I really believe in the school. I really think that small, liberal arts colleges are the best places to learn and the best places to teach. There is something special that happens on a small college that doesn't happen at a big university. I like that small college atmosphere."
Today, Dick is very involved with the Tabor community. He is a member of several faculty committees, including he the Teacher Education Committee and the Student Appeals Committee. He is also helping students to form a Peace Club, which will educate students about issues of peace, justice, and conflict resolution through field trips, speakers, and other activities.
Dick also likes to get involved with music and drama as much as he can. Last fall he was involved with the musical "The Music Man." He also enjoys helping out with the music for worship.
"I like being in a place where I can get involved and use my abilities in other areas," Dick explained. "I'm not just an English teacher pushed off in a corner and that's the only thing I do."
These abilities, developed by his life experiences, have led to the publishing of his first poem, which has also enhanced his teaching ability, according to Deborah Penner, assistant professor or English and chair of the English department.
Penner is also impressed with his dedication to scholarship, continuing to study, write articles, and write poetry in addition to his teaching load. She feels that this dedication has done a lot of improve the English department and give it strength.
Although his desire is to publish more works in the future, Dick plans to enjoy his involvement with the college while continuing to develop his talents for writing and teaching.
