Friends University has recently filled several faculty and staff positions.
Dr. Cecil Riney
Returning to Friends University after 45 years of service as the chair of Fine Arts is Dr. Cecil Riney. He is filling the position of interim chair of Fine Arts. Since his 2005 retirement, Dr. Riney has been actively involved with other pursuits, including teaching occasional classes at Friends University, directing the Friends University Singing Quaker Alumni Chorus, leading the choir at his church and helping with various community fundraising projects. In 2013, he also retired from his “second job” as chorus director for the Wichita Symphony Orchestra after 20 years.
Dr. Riney is a 1953 graduate of Friends University. He earned his master’s in music from the University of Kansas and his doctorate from the University of Southern California.
Dr. Prince Nii Agbedanu
The new assistant professor of biology, Dr. Prince Nii Agbedanu, earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana, a master’s degree in medical technology from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and a doctoral degree in biomedical sciences from Iowa State University.
Dr. Agbedanu has served as an adjunct instructor at various colleges, including Grand View University, Upper Iowa University and Des Moines Area Community College. He has also been a guest lecturer, tutor, mentor and advisor of undergraduates.
Dr. David Carter
Dr. David Carter, assistant professor of organizational management and leadership and program director of organizational leadership and transformational change, was the instructional curriculum and design specialist at Friends University from Aug. 2013 to Aug. 2016. He also was a professor at the Washburn University Leadership Institute and an adjunct professor of history at Butler County Community College.
In addition to speaking at events across the nation, Dr. Carter has filled other roles at colleges, such as being the curriculum designer at Allen County Community College and a department chair at Bryan University. He has received numerous awards, including the Professor of the Year Award from the Washburn University Leadership Institute in 2015. He is also an author who wrote a 2013 bestseller—Mayday Over Wichita: The Worst Military Aviation Disaster in Kansas History.
Dr. Carter graduated from Benedictine University with a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education, Leadership and Organizational Development. He also earned a Master of Arts in Military History from Norwich University and a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Maryland University College.
Anne Crane
Anne Crane is the new director of the Friends University library. She has been promoted from her previous position of library systems administrator, head cataloger and library web master at Friends University, where she has been employed for approximately 18 years.
Crane has also served as an adjunct faculty member at Hutchinson Community College and an assistant at the Wichita Public Library.
Crane received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Therapy and Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin, Master of Arts in Teaching from Friends University and Master of Library Science from Emporia State University.
David “Keas” Keasler
Hired as the assistant professor of Christian spiritual formation and program director of Christian spiritual formation, David “Keas” Keasler serves in the Graduate School. He graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity in Theology and from Baylor University with a Bachelor of Arts in Religion.
He has served as a pastor and church planter in Miami, Fla. Other titles he has held include co-founder, board member, chaplain, minister, and teacher. He has participated in various ministries including the Gospel Leadership Network, Athletes in Action and the New Jersey State Prison.
Jonathan Lanning
Jonathan Lanning has been appointed as the new director of the Master of Cyber Security program and assistant professor of cyber security. Lanning holds a master’s degree in security administration from Southwestern College and a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Kansas. He also has 13 years of experience as an officer in the U.S. Air Force and a background in leadership.
Lanning has served as the Lead Defensive Cyberspace Operations planner at the 624 Operations center, where he was responsible for planning global defense of the Air Force’s $10 billion information network. He also was the senior instructor for Crew Commander training on the Air Force Cyberspace Defense System, which is the Air Force’s primary network defense capability operated by the Air Force Computer Emergency Response Team (AFCERT).
Dr. John Simmons
Dr. John Simmons is a visiting assistant professor of biology (one year). He has a Bachelor of Science in Biological Science and a secondary teaching certification from Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Miss. He also earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Physiology from Missouri University.
He has served as an instructor at various institutions, such as at South University Online, Excelsior College and Hutchinson Community College.
Stacy White
The new assistant professor of accounting and program director of accounting in the College of Adult and Professional Studies is Stacy White. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Accountancy from Kansas State University.
As a licensed Certified Public Accountant, White’s experience includes being an accountant for Koch Industries and for the Sumner-Cowley Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives.