The Friends University faculty are interested in connecting with students and local businesses. The table below outlines examples of topics our faculty are uniquely qualified to share with your group. If you would like to request a faculty member to speak in your class, at an upcoming meeting, or for a specific event please fill out the form below. We will contact you regarding your request and will discuss faculty availability. Thank you for reaching out to Friends University.
Request a Speaker
Please click the red button below to visit our form for requesting a speaker.
Request a Speaker
Possible Topics
| Speaker Name | Degrees | Topics to Speak About | Relevant Experience |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Allan | MA Counseling Psychology | Cognitive Psychology, Psychology Theory, Marriage/Family Topics (Parenting, Communication, Human Growth and Development), Urban Issues and Solutions | 16 years of ministry, 38 years at Friends, 12 years as a therapist trainer |
| Sean Cash | BA, MBA | Business Management and General Buisness Topics, Leadership and Cultural Change, Entrepreneurship | 25+ years of business and entrepreneurial experience |
| Justin Eichorn | BBA Computer Information - Emphasis Computer Security System Design; MSC Cyber Security | Cyber Security, Cyber Law and Policy, System Design, Security Engineering | US Army Reserve - Civil Affairs Specialist, IASO, Koch Pipeline, Pitsco Education, Instructor at WATC, Instructor at Pittsburg State University, Assistant Professor of Cyber Defense |
| Janet Eubank | BA Elementary Education - Wichita State University; MAT, Friends University; Administrative Endorsement, Newman University | All Teachers Teach Reading, Active Learning - Deeper Thinking, Why Teaching Matters | Classroom Teacher (Grades 1,2)-USD 259 - Title I and Non-Title Schools, Reading/Language Arts Teaching Specialist (Served all Wichita Elementary Schools), Executive Director Curriculum and Assessment (All Wichita Schools) |
| Russell Arben Fox | BA Political Science; MA, International Studies - Brigham Young University; PhD., Politics | Elections, State and National Politics, American and Kansas History, Local and Community Politics, Environmentalism and Sustainability, Food and Urban Justice Issues | Experience commenting on local and state affairs on KWCH, KAKE, KSN, KPTS, etc., several years service on the Wichita Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, member of the ICT Food Circle, published multiple columns in The Wichita Eagle on local affairs, multiple publications in scholarly journals on community, education and related issues |
| Jeremy Gallegos | PhD., Philosophy (Ethics, Applied Ethics, Existentialism) | Medevil Ethics, Critical Thinking | Vice Chair of the Ethics Committee at Wesley Medical Center, Published Truth Telling to Patients with Dementia |
| Joan Griffing | BM; MM; DMA | Careers in Music, Violin Masterclass, Arts at Friends | Professional Violinist, Master Teacher, Fine Arts Chair at Friends |
| Christopher M. Habben | PhD. Virginia Tech - Child & Family Development - MFT Program; MS - Fuller Seminary - Marriage & Family Therapy; MA - Fuller Seminary - Theology | Family Functioning, Mantal Relationships (Pre-initial, Dating, Marriage, Affairs and Divorce) Intersection of Faiths Practice | Licensed Clinical MFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor, Program Director of MFT program in Kansas City |
| Josh Halonen | B.A.; M.A.; PhD. | Psychology, Research, Pharmacology, Neurodegenerative Disorders, Neuroscience, Behavior, Audiology | Post-Doctorate and Graduate School Experiments, Published Research |
| Stan Harstine | PhD. Biblical Studies | Gospel of John, Biblical Interpretation | |
| Ana Jurcak-Detter | Bioloical Sciences BS, Ms, PhD. | Ecology, Animal Behavior, Conservation Education Topics, Scientific Method | Speaking at National and Regional Conferences, STEM activities for children and general public, Interned at wildlife conservencies doing conservation education to general public |
| Jim Maddox | PhD. | Change Management, Mindfulness, Change Leadership, Strategic Planning, Emotional Intelligence | 20+ years consulting practice, 24 years professor at Friends, drjimmaddox.com |
| Patrick Mathews | PhD. In Entomology | Bugs, The Environment, Global Climate Change, Evolution, Science Education, Animals, Zoos and Aquariums | Professor for 20 years, Director of Zoo Science and Field Biology Programs, Researcher |
| Teresa (Terri) Miller | BA - Physics; MS - Aerospace Engineering; PhD. - Aerospace Engineering | Engineering, Women in STEM | 30+ years in industry as an engineer and manager (New airplane design and test), 1 year at Friends teaching science |
| John W. Rhodes | BS - Biology - Florida State University; MS - Foundations of Education - Troy State University; PhD. C & I, Education Leadership - University of Florida | Career Paths in Education, History and Natural Sciences Collection at the Fellow-Reeve Museum, Standards - Based Instruction and Assessment, Higher Education Accreditation for Teacher Prep | High School science and math teacher - Florida, Assistant Department Head, Pensacola State College, Consultant Florida Panhandle area Education Coop, Consultant Georgia Professional Standards Commission, Assistant/Associate Professor Georgia Southwestern State University/Friends University |
| Vicki Ronn | PhD. English | Fantasy/Sci Fi, Fiber Arts, Fairy Tales/ Mythology, Tolkien | Steward of Mythopoeic Society |
| Matthew Schloneger | PhD. Vocal Pedagogy, MM Voice Performance | Voice Health and Care for Professional Voice Users or Students, To Teachers and Professors, To Middle School Choirs, To Theatre Students | Dissertation and published research on voice use and health |
| Andrea Vazquez-Aguirre | BFA; MFA | Sematic Training Applied to Ballet Technique, Movement Analysis as a Pedagogical Tool, Improvisation as a Spiritual Practice, The Work of Female Ballet Choreographers | Previous participation in community events, Radio/Newspaper interviews |
| Kassia Waggoner | PhD. In English; M.A. English; B.A. English Education | Women and Gender Issues, Film, Disability (Social vs. Medical Models), Southern Literature, Harry Potter | Conference presentations, MLA SAMLA PAMLA, Event and speaker coordinator for WAST at TCU |
| James Long | PhD. In business with emphasis in leadership - Capella University; MBA - University of Mary; Graduate work in finance, mergers and acquisitions, and economics - Harvard University | Leadership, Business Concepts, Human Resources, Ethics, Internal Auditing, Finance | Member of North Dakota State's Information Technology Advisory Committee - Provided legislative oversight for all state IT projects with budgets greater than $25,000. Member of North Dakota's Investment and Retirement Board - Provided legislative oversight for all state investments and retirement accounts. Overall budge of approximately $40 billion. Member of North Dakota's Investment and Retirement Board - Provided legislative oversight for all state investments and retirement accounts. Overall budge of approximately $40 billion. C-Level executive of North Dakota's workers' compensation fund - oversaw all support functions (finance, human resources, information technology, records management, training, and facilities) for North Dakota's monopolistic agency. Claims balance of approximately $5 billion. Board Member of Finance Council for the Catholic Diocese located in Bismarck, ND. Senior Professional in Human Resources. Senior Competency Professional. |