Three Dordt faculty and staff set to retire at end of semester

A retirement open house will be held to recognize Dordt University faculty and staff members who are retiring. The event will take place on Friday, April 21 from 3-4 p.m. in the Campus Center.

The open house will recognize the following individuals:

• Dr. Robert “Bob” De Smith, professor of English, who has served at Dordt since 1983
• Dr. Jay Shim, professor of theology, who has served at Dordt since 2004
• Mr. Howard Wilson, vice president for university operations, who has served at Dordt since 2013

Collectively, the retirees have dedicated about 69 years of service to Dordt University.

Dr. Teresa Ter Haar, professor of theatre arts and De Smith’s colleague for many years, says that what she appreciates most about De Smith is the chance to walk past his classroom and hear him engaging with his students.

“He is so incredibly passionate about what he does. You can hear the energy in his voice and the ideas he brings forward into the classroom and the way he brings students into those conversations is absolutely inspirational,” she says.

Dr. Justin Bailey, professor of theology and a colleague of Shim’s, appreciates Shim’s passion for global mission work.

“He spends time visiting countries around the world and is very much a person who doesn’t want theology to stay in the ivory tower but to be shared broadly throughout the world. I appreciate his leadership and heart for the global church,” he says.

Robert Taylor says that, when he thinks of Wilson, he thinks of humility and kindness. “He is so full of wisdom and is more well-read than anyone I know,” says Taylor. “He has floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and in a conversation with him you can sense the wisdom he has gleaned from his books as well as his life experience.”

About Dordt University

As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Dordt University equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Dordt is a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, The Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.