Faculty
Wheatstone Academy enables students to interact directly with Christian teachers distinguished by their excellence in scholarship and characterized by compassionate living. Through our interactive lecture format, Wheatstone Academy students have the rare opportunity to get up-close and personal with these distinguished scholars.
John Mark Reynolds, Ph.D.
Director, Torrey Honors Institute
Biola University
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John Mark Reynolds is the author of
When Athens Met Jerusalem 
and co-editor of Three Views on Creation and Evolution
His articles have appeared in technical journals and periodicals such as New Oxford Review and Touchstone. He is also currently a research fellow at the Center for the
Renewal of Science and Culture, and the founder and director of the Biola University program, the
Torrey Honors Institute 
and co-editor of Three Views on Creation and Evolution
His articles have appeared in technical journals and periodicals such as New Oxford Review and Touchstone. He is also currently a research fellow at the Center for the
Renewal of Science and Culture, and the founder and director of the Biola University program, the
Torrey Honors Institute
J.P. Moreland, Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor of Philosopy
Biola University
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J. P. Moreland is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology,
Biola University in La Mirada, California and director of Eidos Christian Center. Dr. Moreland has 4 earned degrees: a B.S. in chemistry from the
University of Missouri, a Th. M. in theology from Dallas Seminary, an M. A. in philosophy from the University of California-Riverside, and a Ph.D. in
philosophy from the University of Southern California. He is the author of numerous books and articles. For more information about J.P. Moreland, visit
his website
or Wikipedia .
or Wikipedia .
Sean McDowell, M.A., M.A.
Head of the Bible Department
Capistrano Valley Christian School
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Sean McDowell is the head of the Bible Department at Capistrano Valley Christian Schools,
where he teaches Worldviews and Old Testament Survey. He graduated summa cum laude from Talbot Theological Seminary with Master’s degrees
in Theology and Philosophy. Sean is also a nationally recognized communicator, speaking at conferences, churches, retreats, camps and
schools throughout the year. Sean’s most recent book is Apologetics for a New Generation: A Biblical and Culturally Relevant Approach to
Talking About God .
To see more of Sean's work, click here .
.
To see more of Sean's work, click here .
Paul Spears, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Torrey Honors Institute
Biola University
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Paul Spears is intensely interested in how foundational theological and philosophical commitments
drive educational theories. In his work he investigates how theology, educational history, philosophy and learning theories combine to construct
educational praxis. He is also deeply committed to developing in his students a sophisticated understanding of a Christian worldview and
apologetics. He holds a B.S. in education from Multnomah Bible College, a M.A. in philosophy from Talbot School of Theology and a Ph.D. in
educational philosophy from Claremont Graduate University.
Fred Sanders, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Torrey Honors Institute
Biola University
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Fred Sanders is a theologian whose main interest is the doctrine of the Trinity.
His undergraduate degree is in studio art, and he has written and illustrated a series of doctrinal comic books published by
InterVarsity Press. His Ph.D. is from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. He has taught in the Torrey Honors Institute at Biola University
since 1999. He is the author of The Image of the Immanent Trinity: Rahner's Rule and the Theological Interpretation of S
cripture (Issues in Systematic Theology) .
He and his wife Susan met when they were 11 years old, and they have two children, Freddy and Phoebe.
.
He and his wife Susan met when they were 11 years old, and they have two children, Freddy and Phoebe.
Rick Vander Kam
Founding President
The Van Arend Company
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Rick is the founding president of The Van Arend Company, an organizational
development company whose teambuilding events have brought new levels of effectiveness to organizations locally and
internationally. With twenty-five years of experience in small group dynamics, Rick brings a rich background to his
thought-provoking staff development sessions. A doctoral student at Fielding Graduate University, Rick is researching
how moral and ethical development applies to systemic learning processes. A song-writer and poet, Rick’s poetry has
received national recognition and his songs have been performed both locally and internationally.
Melissa Schubert, M.A.
Associate Professor, Torrey Honors Institute
Biola University
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Melissa Schubert has been a faculty member in the Torrey Honors Institute
since 2005. She is presently working toward her Ph.D. in English, specializing in Early Modern English literature.
In addition to her general admiration for poetry and great books, she has a special interest in the role that the
poetic imagination plays in learning. She also enjoys playing the piano, community hymn-sing events, classical
languages, and gardening.
since 2005. She is presently working toward her Ph.D. in English, specializing in Early Modern English literature.
In addition to her general admiration for poetry and great books, she has a special interest in the role that the
poetic imagination plays in learning. She also enjoys playing the piano, community hymn-sing events, classical
languages, and gardening.
Gary Hartenberg, M.A.
Assistant Professor of Philosphy
California State University, Fullerton
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Gary Hartenburg is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the California
State University, Fullerton, and a regular visiting faculty member for the Torrey Honors Institute at Biola University.
He is currently earning his Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of California, Irvine. Gary lives with his
wife and daughter in Irvine.
Staff
Wheatstone Academy staff is led by a unifying passion to transform students across the United States into thoughtful and spirited Christian influencers. Both past alumni and ministry-minded professionals work fervently to dialogue with parents and guardians, develop alliances with both local and national ministries, and establish long-lasting relationships with the growing number of Wheatstone Academy alumni.
Rebecca Fort
Executive Director
Wheatstone Academy
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Rebecca has been the Executive Director of Wheatstone Academy since December, 2006.
Previously, she served as the first Marketing Director for Wheatstone Academy. As an alumna of the first Wheatstone Academy
conference, she is excited to be furthering the ministry that changed her own life in high school. Her passion is seeing
students enriched and challenged by the vision of education and community that Wheatstone Academy provides. Rebecca graduated with
a degree in English from Biola University, and is a member of the Torrey Honors Institute. She lives in Fullerton, California,
with husband Gavin, where she reads good books, listens to good music and cycles.
Peter Gross
Alumni Coordinator
Wheatstone Academy
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Peter Gross majored in anthropology and minored in philosophy at Biola
University, graduating magna cum laude. He is a graduated member of Torrey Honors Institute, and a member of the Order of
Peter and Paul, Torrey's honor society for the top ten percent of each graduating class. He spent one semester of his
undergraduate career at Oxford University, where he studied aesthetics, metaphysics and epistemology. He plans to study
art and philosophy at the graduate level.
Ryan Swindoll
Director of Ministry Growth
Wheatstone Academy
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Since his induction as a mentor in 2006, Ryan has been happily serving Wheatstone in various capacities: recruiting students, campaigning Epic Monday, deepening "rylationships," and defending Pixar. He is a spirited proponent of holistic Christian living. His education ranges from the Torrey Honors Institute, a bachelors in communications at Biola University, a masters in Education Media, Design, and Technology at Full Sail University, and continual study in philosophy and spiritual formation. He is enthused to support Wheatstone in their most recent and inventive endeavors: vision, strategy, and fundraising.
Judy Hedgren
Administrative Assistant
Wheatstone Academy
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Judy joined Wheatstone Academy in May, 2008, as the Administrative
Assistant, and is excited to be able to support the staff and faculty of Wheatstone and share in this exciting
ministry. She brings over 30 years of experience in conference coordinating and office management. She has been
married to her husband Rudy for over 40 years and they are the proud grandparents of 5 grandchildren. In her
spare time she loves spending time with family, reading, the beach and sports.
