This year, Milligan has opened its doors to 14 new faculty members. The Stampede got to sit with two new professors, Namyoun Choi, assistant professor of computer science, and Kristen Entwistle, assistant professor of chemistry.
Dr. Namyoun Choi
Namyoun Choi says that she continues her “God-given task” by teaching at Milligan College.
Choi has an extensive background in her field, which includes educational and industrial sectors.
Born in South Korea, she received her bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Ewha Women’s University. According to a Milligan College press release, she continued her education, obtaining her master’s degree in computer science and her Ph.D. in information science and technology, both from Drexel University.
She described discovering her call to “point out Christ Jesus to her students” when one of her students in South Korea emailed her, thanking her for being a Christian role model. She prayed about her decision to pursue her Ph.D. and teach, laughing as she said, “I had to check with God first.”
“They love God and they honor God,” Choi said of the faculty, staff and students at Milligan. She discussed her motivation to work at a Christian school that allowed her to share Christ with her students, something she was unable to do when she previously taught at a university in Pennsylvania.
“I like it [at Milligan] so much,” Choi said. “The faculty and staff are very nice, extremely kind.” She describes her new job as an answered prayer, saying, “I am so blessed.”
Choi discussed some of the differences in education between South Korea and the United States, stating that there was more room for creativity and professor/student interaction here. She mentioned the sameness and unity experienced in Asian countries in contrast with the diversity in the United States. She expressed her surprise that in South Korea, both public and private schools have more freedom to discuss Christ openly than public schools in the United States.
Choi says that although our cultures are entirely different, Christianity binds us together.
Dr. Kristen Entwistle
Kristen Entwistle is the new assistant professor of chemistry. She teaches organic chemistry, biochemistry and general chemistry.
Entwistle is from Ohio. She graduated from Gordon University with a degree in chemistry and completed her doctorate work in biochemistry and molecular biology from Michigan State University. She taught for a year at Goshen College in Indiana before she took the job at Milligan, which she heard about from her father who is a professor.
“Chemistry is everywhere, not just in textbooks,” Entwistle said.
She has a passion for teaching chemistry.
“I teach chemistry because I feel like we need to study the minute details of God’s creation. And it is a privilege to be able to do that,” Entwistle said.
Other than teaching, Entwistle likes to go on hikes, be outside and bake.
“I like being able to do things. I like helping people, even if it is just baking them cookies,” Entwistle said. “I like being outside and doing things like hiking.”
She wants to help students see that chemistry is not just something they have to get through for a requirement but that it is something that can be appreciated.
Entwistle is engaged and is going to get married in December. She has two siblings who are both still in college.