WHY FACULTY?

As the great educator and statesman Charles Malik stated, “More potently than by any other means, change the university and you change the world.”

• The philosophy of the classroom today becomes the philosophy of our culture tomorrow.




• Christian professors show by their words and their example that believers can be intellectual and caring people.

• They reach students who would never darken the door of a church or Christian group in college.

• Their presence encourages Christian students to seek out answers to the questions that arise about their faith.

Dr. Buff Furman is a recent recipient of the Nielson Award from Faculty Commons as an outstanding Christian professor. Here is what Dr. John Walkup, National Field Representative for FC said about Buff in presenting the award:

“I met Buff Furman in 2000, shortly after Pat and I arrived back in northern California to direct Faculty Commons’ ministries at the San Francisco Bay Area campuses. I was immediately impressed with his commitment to being a blessing to the faculty, staff and students on the San Jose State campus.

“Buff and his wife Wanda demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ for others. He has a strong testimony for our Lord’s love and grace to all those around him. Moreover, Buff has the leadership skills to which his faculty colleagues have responded during his seven years leading the faculty/staff ministry at SJSU.

“Whenever I attend one of their weekly meetings, I am impressed with the obvious respect that both the faculty and staff show for his leadership. This carries over to his family life; watching them, together with their young daughter, Joy, one sees a genuine picture of Christian marriage and family life.

“Buff and Wanda have participated in seven of our national conferences. Because of their participation and urging, other San Jose State professors have also attended various Faculty Commons conferences. He has organized and led the use at SJSU of the PBS “Question of God” series comparing the lives and philosophies of C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud.

“Buff is one of the most consistently Spirit-led Christian professors we have known. He consistently demonstrates his faith in Christ through his upbeat, encouraging demeanor, the gracious way in which he reaches out to other faculty, to university staff and to his students.”