Newberry Appoints Christina Wendland as Associate Dean of the College

Newberry College has named The Rev. Dr. Christina Wendland as Associate Dean of the College effective July 1, 2017. She replaces Dr. Dale Brown, a 1966 Newberry College alumna who is retiring after 26 years of service to the College.

In her new role as Associate Dean of the College, Wendland will serve as the Academic Affairs liaison to more than 10 faculty committees and coordinate with the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness on matters related to accreditation. Additionally, she will develop the academic calendar, oversee the business unit’s budget and hire and mentor adjunct faculty.

“Christy’s dedication to the success of the College is evident through her positive interactions with both students and colleagues,” said Dr. Timothy Elston, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College. “In her new role, she will continue to support and inspire the campus community.”

Wendland joined the faculty of Newberry College in 2007 as assistant professor of Religion. Her teaching responsibilities focused Biblical Studies, Religion and Pop Culture and Summerland Honors Program courses. She also has served on the Academic Assessment Committee and the Campus Alliance for Respect and Diversity.

Wendland will continue to serve as director of Newberry’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), “Habits of the Heart,” a program she has led since 2011 to enhance student learning by emphasizing critical thinking, personal and social responsibility, and vocational reflection.   

“Newberry College has been my home for 10 years, and I love the students and people who make this college great!” Wendland said. “As I prepare to step into the next decade of my career at Newberry, I am pleased to have this opportunity and look forward to the new challenges it will offer.”

Wendland is registered as a supply preacher with the South Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. She has taught adult forums and Sunday School classes on a variety of topics and is active in her home church, Christus Victor Lutheran Church.

Prior to joining Newberry College, Wendland served as associate pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (1997-2001) in Columbia, S.C. Prior to that, she was a member of the faculty at Waldorf College (1997-2001) in Iowa.

Wendland earned her Ph.D. in Biblical Studies from Luther Seminary (2007). Her doctoral work focused on the book of Ezekiel, challenging the traditional conception of the relationship between God and the people of Israel characterized in that book of the Bible.  She received her M.Div. from Trinity Lutheran Seminary (1997), and earned her bachelor of science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources from The Ohio State University (1992).

Wendland is a regular presenter at Lutheran and higher education organizations as well as on-campus events, exploring on a breadth of topics, including religion and technology, immigration and the intersection of religion and Harry Potter.

Wendland lives in Columbia, S.C., with her children, Kayla (18) and Jonah (12).