Sad Announcement! Joyous Announcement!

Last evening, Doug Huffman, my close friend for many years, for longer than we have served together on the faculty of Northwestern College, came unexpectedly to our home to honor and to grace my wife and me, as his friends, with news that is indicated in the announcement below, now made official by our administrators at Northwestern College.

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Dear Faculty,

Biola University, one of our sister CCCU institutions, has contacted Dr. Doug Huffman inviting him to join their faculty as chair of the undergraduate Department of Biblical & Theological Studies. Given Doug and Deb’s deep love for Northwestern College and their years of commitment and extensive involvement at our institution, the decision has not been easy. After much prayer, however, and with a sense of calling about this opportunity, Doug and Deb have decided to accept Biola’s invitation.

Given the adverse health circumstances of the current chair, Biola’s administrative leadership is requesting that Doug join the Department of Biblical & Theological Studies in January 2011. Doug has informed Northwestern’s Office of Academic Affairs of this situation, requesting an early release from his contract if Northwestern deems it feasible. President Cureton and the Office of Academic Affairs desire to honor Doug by granting his request. We are sad that Doug will be leaving Northwestern but recognize the significant opportunity that lies before him. Please join us in congratulating Doug on his appointment.

A celebration of Doug’s service at Northwestern will take place on Wednesday, December 1, at 3:30 p.m. in the Blue Room.

--Office of Academic Affairs

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I first met Doug Huffman more than twenty years ago when I was working on my PhD at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He was working on a second master's degree in preparation for entering the PhD program. As has always been my practice, I offered advice and encouragement to Doug, just as I did with many other prospective PhD students. In 1992 I had the privilege of joining the faculty of Northwestern College, Doug's alma mater and his place of employment before moving to Chicago to work toward the PhD degree. Thus, it was my great pleasure to welcome Doug as a faculty colleague in the Biblical & Theological Studies Department two years later. It was also my delight to have an instrumental role in Doug's being appointed Chair of the B&TS Dept. in 2003-2004 in place of his moving to Biola University to fill the same role. At last, Biola has prevailed in attracting a superb colleague, a longtime friend, and an excellent teacher away from Northwestern College. Northwestern College's great loss will surely be Biola's enormous gain.

Congratulations, Doug & Deb! You will be immensely missed. Congratulations, Biola University! You will be welcoming an extraordinary and godly man. Godspeed to all!