Valparaiso University Announces 2015–2016 Research Professors

Valparaiso University has named Heath Carter and Jan Westrick the 2015–2016 University Research Professors. The program recognizes and encourages scholarly accomplishments and honors faculty members for original research and creative work.

Assistant Professor of History Heath Carter, Ph.D., joined Valpo in 2012. He plans to write his second book, which will tell the story of American Christians who have preached and practiced social gospels, titled “ ‘The Kingdom of God May Yet Reign’: The Social Gospel in American Life, 1815–2015.”

Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.’s hope that “the kingdom of God may yet reign,” Carter’s book will challenge American religious historians to rethink their concepts of the Social Gospel and its influence on American society. Carter was recently named a Young Scholar in American Religion and holds a doctor of philosophy in United States history from the University of Notre Dame.

Professor of Education Jan Westrick, Ed.D., joined Valpo in 2004. She will research Oman’s Child-Friendly Schools to inform the international education development community about scaling models based on research about school improvement internationally rather than on technical–rational philosophies currently advocated by major donors and development agencies.

Westrick’s research will analyze Oman’s process as it implements UNICEF’s Child-Friendly Schools framework across more than 1,000 schools in the country. She is widely published and frequently presents on global education and literacy. She holds a doctor of education in education policy and administration from the University of Minnesota.

The University Research Professors are selected by the University president upon recommendation of the Committee on Creative Work and Research. The Committee selects on the basis of the proposal’s originality and significance and the applicant’s capacity to execute the program of study.