Dordt University has a wealth of faculty members who can speak, entertain, and answer questions on a variety of topics of interest to church groups, alumni, and interested constituents all over North America. We are happy to serve the greater community in this capacity.
Below you'll find a list of faculty available to speak in their specialized fields. Feel free to contact the alumni and church relations office at (712) 722-6028 or alumni@dordt.edu for more information or assistance in scheduling an appearance by one of our staff.
Business and Leadership
JOEL PENNER 
Head Football Coach
Coach Penner recently co-published the book Coaching the RPO Offense, which provides a step-by-step guide to why and how to implement run/pass option concepts. Coach Penner is willing to speak on the following topics:
Leadership
Philosophy and Theology of Competition
The RPO Offense
Team Building
DALE ZEVENBERGEN 
Professor of Business Administration
Dale has 18 years of experience in accounting, cost management, manufacturing, sales, and distribution management, primarily at Pella Corporation. Professor Zevenbergen’s presentation is titled:
Lean Manufacturing and Continuous Improvement
Church and Music
DR. SCOTT CULPEPPER 
Associate Professor of History
Dr. Culpepper specializes in the fields of early modern Europe and the Americas with a particular emphasis on the interaction of politics, religion, and popular culture in human societies. He is the author of Francis Johnson and the English Separatist Influence. Dr. Culpepper has several series and sessions developed that he is willing to share:
The story of Christianity:
Salvation and Sacrifice: The Suffering and Triumph of the Ancient Church
The Mighty Fortress: Reforming Christendom
The Surprising Work of God: Christianity in the New World
The World in this Generation: Christianity in a Global Society
From Reformation to Awakening: How the Reformed Tradition Came to North America
Calvin Goes European: The Expansion of Calvin’s Reformation to England and the Dutch Republic
Pilgrims and Cities on Hills: the Puritan and English Separatist Influence
The Surprising work of God: Jonathan Edwards, George Whitfield, and a Reformed Awakening
Single Sessions
Martin Luther: A Life and a Reforming Legacy
John Calvin: his Life, Thought, and Legacy
Ulrich Zwingli: The Neglected Tale of Switzerland’s First Protestant Reformer
The Rise and Influence of Contemporary Christian Music in America
Why We Need Abraham Kuyper in America: A Dutch Model for Christian Political Discourse in the United States
DR. KAREN DE MOL 
Adjunct Emerita Instructor in Music
Dr. De Mol’s areas of expertise include music theory, music literature, music appreciation, and music and worship. She is the author of the book Sound Stewardship. De Mol is able to give the following talks:
Music and Worship
Christian Foundation for our Engagement with Music
Education
VICKI VERMEER 
Director of the Center for Economic Education
Vicki Vermeer is passionate about equipping parents and teachers to fill the gap of economic education within our elementary and high school systems. She is available to share on the following topics:
Teaching economic topics in K-12 classrooms
Teaching financial literacy to any age
Using real time simulations to teach economic principles in fun ways
Humanities
TARA BOER, MSW, LISW 
Instructor of Social Work, Mental Health Therapist
Tara Boer is able to speak on the following topics:
Child abuse Prevention and Treatment
Child and Family Safety
Parenting Strategies and interventions
Mental Health and Trauma
MARK CHRISTIANS 
Associate Professor of Psychology
Professor Christians leads a workshop called the Boundaries of Parenthood: Saying “YES” and “NO” in Love. The goals of this workshop are to:
Understand the biblical themes for parenting
Learn how our parenting is impacted by healthy and unhealthy boundaries
Learn the basics of setting clear boundaries
See the benefits of communicating clear boundaries
DR. BOB DE SMITH 
Professor of English
De Smith specializes in Early Modern British Literature, the History of English, and the English Reformation. De Smith is able to give talks on:
Shakespeare
The English Bible
DR. PAUL FESSLER 
Professor of History
A historian of ethnicity and immigration, Professor Fessler places today’s hot topics of immigration and bilingual education within a historical context – comparing today’s immigration issues to those of the past 200 years. His presentations include:
Melting Pot or Exploding Kettle? Immigration, Bilingual Education, and American Politics
What’s Wrong with Multiculturalism?: a Christian critique
Dr. ABBY FOREMAN 
Associate Professor of Social Work
Professor Foreman’s areas of expertise include social work, social policy and management in non-profit and public organizations. She is passionate about hunger issues and protecting and nurturing healthy families and kids. Professor Foreman is willing to speak on the following topics:
Hunger and Poverty
Advocacy
Trust in Organizations
Community Health/Development
Healthy groups and civility
DR. ERIN OLSEN 
Associate Professor of Social Work
Professor Olsen is willing to give talks on the following topics:
Marriage and family
Parenting adolescents and high school age children
Foster parenting
Healthy body image
Safe church policies
Church/non-profit relationships
Calling and Vocation
KAE VAN ENGEN, CLP 
Instructor of Communication
Kae Van Engen is a certified listening professional and is passionate about sharing strategies and techniques for effective listening and communication.
DR. BRUCE VERMEER
Associate Professor of Psychology 
Prior to teaching at Dordt, Dr. Vermeer served as a psychiatrist at an independent practice in Michigan. Vermeer is willing to speak on topics such as:
Aging
Neurocognitive disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease
Neuropsychological assessment
Anxiety
Depression
ADHD
Media and Technology
DR. NICK BREEMS 
Associate Professor of Computer Science
Dr. Breems’ research aims to understand the impact of computer technology on humans and society, and how computer technology can fit in with the development of God’s shalom. Dr. Breems has several different topics that he can speak on:
Technology in Worship
Managing Screen Time
Being Intentional in our Technology Use
MARK VOLKERS 
Digital Media Production Coordinator and Instructor of Communication
Volkers has a DVD curriculum that he has produced that can be part of a six-week or 12-week adult education class. It is titled Cultures and Religions from Around the World. This curriculum uses award-winning documentary films to explore issues like the persecuted church in china, Islam and Christianity in Mali, Voodooism and Syncretism in Haiti, the dusty trails of tradition in Nigeria, Catholicism in Mexico, and more. Volkers is also willing to give talks entitled:
Mass media Effects on Culture
Film History
Christian Response to Media
Science
DR. ETHAN BRUE 
Co-Dean for Natural Sciences/Associate Professor of Engineering
Dr. Brue’s research interests include biomass gasification and combustion, solar energy engineering, and the history of technology. Dr. Brue has several different topics on which he can speak:
Energy Conversion and Conservation: The Bigger Picture
The Future of Biofuels and Biobased Products
Seeking Sustainability in a World of Boundaries and Limits
DR. ROBBIN EPPINGA 
Assistant Professor of Biology
Dr. Eppinga is passionate about exploring the intersection between science and faith. He is available to speak on the following:
Energy stewardship within our churches
Climate Change