Welcome to the TWU GSA website!
It is the aim of the GSA to serve the students by working to enhance the overall environment of graduate studies here at Trinity Western. We are active throughout these summer months and we want to hear from you. Please contact us with your ideas, questions, or concerns. The following are the current members of the GSA.
Executive Council
President: Ryan Jantzi (MDiv) - Jantz13@hotmail.com
Executive Vice President: Carolyn Yoo (MDiv) - carolynyoo.twugsa@gmail.com
Executive Vice President of Finance: Lori McGregor (MLE) - lori.mcgregor@mytwu.ca
School of Graduate Studies Student Representatives
Eddie Petrossian (MAL) - eddie_petrossian@yahoo.com
Courtney McCutcheon (MTES) - courtney.mccutcheon@mytwu.ca
Brenda Perez Gil Romo (MCP) - brenda.perezgilromo@mytwu.ca
ACTS Student Representatives
Rachel Aubrey (MLE) - rachelbgalatians220@yahoo.com
Tim Stewart (MDiv) - timraystew@gmail.com
Darryl Seres (MACS) - darryl.seres@gmail.com
February 9, 2010
2010 GSA SURVEY
The GSA would like to extend a hearty thank you to all who took the time to complete our recent survey. We received 51 responses. The feedback received from you all has been very valuable. The GSA is currently in the process of evaluating this information and discerning how best to respond to the various opinions and ideas. Thanks for your help!
Also, we would like to congratulate Joel Mason (Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Humanities). Joel won the $50 gift certificate for the University Bookstore, as he was randomly drawn from among those who completed the survey.
November 13, 2009
Come join us for an APOLOGETICS SEMINAR!!!
WHAT: Pualic Lecture - Ara Norenzavan, Dept of Psychology, UBC - "The Evolution of Religious Pro-sociality"
WHEN: November 17th, 2009
TIME: 7:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Alumni Hall, 2nd floor, Reimer Student Centre
COST: FREE!!!
November 12, 2009
Come join us!
There will be an ACTS Graduate Student Colloquium Presentation by Jonathan Numada on “Anti-Judaism, Evangelism, and the Johannine Jesus’ Temple Act in John 2:13-22" on Thursday, Nov. 26, from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. in Room 130-31 of the Fosmark Centre.
November 3, 2009
Come join us!
This coming Thursday, Nov. 5, Dr. Catherine Clark Kroeger, the founder and president of Peace and Safety in the Christian Home will be here at Fosmark from 12 – 1:30 in Room 232. She has launched a pilot project with several seminaries in the US to “prepare, deliver, evaluate and revise a training initiative for seminaries as they equip future church leaders to respond to men, women and children impacted by abuse.”
October 13, 2009
The MTS Program Committee is presenting a Thesis Defense by Jonathan Numada on Tuesday, October 27 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Deck Room of the Fosmark Centre on:
“Anti-Judaism, Evangelism, and the Johannine Jesus’ Temple Act in John 2:13-22"
A consistent problem in Johannine studies is the nature of the gospel of John's supposed "anti-Judaism." John is frequently understood as reflecting a negative or hostile relationship between Christianity and Judaism. Raimo Hakola argues that John reflects such an ambivalent or negative view towards Judaism, while Stephen Motyer argues that John reflects an evangelistic appeal by the author(s) to Jews by presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of Judaism's hopes after suffering the destruction of the Temple in 70 C.E.
This thesis examines Johannine anti-Judaism using D. Hare's taxonomy as modified by George M. Smiga. It then interprets the Temple incident of John 2:13-22 using Kari Syreeni's three world model. This thesis concludes that Motyer is correct in arguing that John could have performed an evangelistic function if read or heard by a Jewish audience following the destruction of the Temple in 70 C.E.
October 9, 2009
THESIS DEFENSE - Jeffrey Thomas
Adherents and teachers of Islam presuppose that the veracity of Islam's mission and the whole of its claims upon humanity flow as a matter of fact from the Qur'ānic doctrine of the Oneness of Allah, tawhīd. More than this, Muslims believe that this doctrine provides the necessary information for any rational person to understand and manifest Allah's intent for human life, a life characterized by blessings, effective witness and wisdom. Specifically, Muslims believe that Allah is One and that any person who comes to know and submit to this truth will experience the purest form of human freedom. This thesis raises the question of whether the doctrine of tawhid bears this out and what the implications of this doctrine are for human life. It then goes on to argue that, if true, tawhid, rather than being the basis for human freedom, actually necessitates that humans are devoid of any free moral choice and capacity for knowledge and action.
October 2, 2009
Congratulations to all the newly elected GSA council members! We are now eager to serve the graduate student community with a full council and will be having our first meeting very soon!
Here are your electees as follows:
Exectuve Vice President of Finance:
Lori McGregor
SGS Student Representatives:
Courtney McCutcheon
Brenda Perez Gil Romo
ACTS Student Representatives:
Darryl Seres
If you have any questions or concerns about the voting process please contact Executive VP Carolyn Yoo at carolynyoo.twugsa@gmail.com.
September 21, 2009
The campaigns have begun! Your candidates for the GSA positions for this 2009-2010 year have been posted here for you to read. This will help educate your vote on who you want as Executive VP Finance, SGS Student Rep and ACTS Student Rep.
Remember voting begins on September 28, 2009 at 12:00 a.m.!
Any questions about the voting process please contact Executive VP Carolyn Yoo at carolynyoo.twugsa@gmail.com
Sepetember 10, 2009
WANT TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE GRADUATE STUDENT ASSOCIATION?
HERE'S YOUR CHANCE!!
The GSA is looking for candidates for this 2009-2010 year for the following positions:
Executive Vice President of Finance
1 ACTS Student Representative
2 SGS Student Representative
The deadline for nominations is September 18, 2009. Please email your nominations to Carolyn Yoo (Executive VP) at carolynyoo.twugsa@gmail.com
Voting will commence on September 24, 2009. Please refer to the voter's guide for more information (http://www.twu.ca/students/twugsa/votersguide/default.html)
August 4, 2009
Recently the GSA has heard some questions among Graduate Students regarding the financial state of the university as it has journeyed through the tougher financial times of the past year. We have looked into this and the following letter written by the TWU President, Dr. Jonathan Raymond was passed our way. Although it is addressed specifically to TWU alumni, we think it gives valuable insight into the situation, and how the university has been responding. We trust that this information will be beneficial to Graduate Students as well. Here is the quoted email:
Dear Alumni,
As you know, the recent global economic downturn has occasioned enormous challenges for universities and colleges throughout North America. In early 2009, TWU began an in-depth organizational evaluation to address the increased pressure this downturn placed on the University.
Our response to these challenges is a bold strategy of innovation – a redesign – that addresses the whole institution. I want to update you on the Redesign strategy that is underway and keep you informed of our progress. As always, I invite you to email me with any questions or feedback you may have. I have been blessed and guided by many of you who have responded to my previous emails.
The Redesign is a proactive and comprehensive strategy that reenvisions the way TWU works. In many ways, it is not ‘business as usual’ at TWU. Our focus must be student-centric. Let me outline the core changes that are being implemented to secure the long range health and stability of the university.
TWU is improving its operations, customer service, and affordability by:
- Implementing campus-wide cost reduction measures [7% budget cuts];
- Reducing 54 positions by 2010; to-date about 30 positions have been closed through retirement, unrenewed contracts and some position eliminations;
- Aligning enrolment management, marketing, TWU Extension, registrar’s office, and information technology under the Provost’s Office;
- Upgrading IT infrastructure;
- Developing and launching new academic programming and revenue streams;
- Strengthening external funding, partnerships, government relations; and
- Introducing an entrepreneurial business model for key academic centres, including for example: MBA, MAL, Graduate Studies, and Adult Degree Completion program.
These changes help achieve two overarching goals: a cost-savings of over $3 million per year in operating expenses, and a new way of doing business that will ensure greater efficiency and flexibility in delivering better service and options to students–undergrad, international, graduate, and non-traditional students.
The Redesign is a long-range improvement strategy that will make TWU an even better university. TWU is becoming more efficient, adaptive, and effective at delivering options for students.
I believe we are turning the corner on our challenges. We are reorganizing our academic and administrative departments for greater efficiency. Overall enrolment trends for fall are looking strong: the nursing program is full, increasing its student enrolment by 10%, and graduate studies enrolment is strong. Relationships with local and provincial governments are being cultivated–we are working collaboratively on new projects like the Langley Events Centre–the new home to the Spartans’ CIS basketball and volleyball teams.
TWU is a vital organization with a large economic impact in the local region and many partnerships with other universities, organizations, and government bodies. The changes we are making now will build on these commitments and will ensure we stay on track with our strategic vision for the future, outlined in the Envision the Century document.
We say we are Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university because others tell us that our professors, community, and alumni are remarkable!
As valued alumni, you are also the reason that we are working ever more diligently to ensure that Trinity Western University continues to be a vital voice in Canadian higher education. You are the face of TWU and the hands and feet of Christ in every community. It is through people like you that the world will be transformed. There is much work to do!
Until my next update, you can stay current with what’s new at the University through our monthly Alumni Newsletter from Dave Swan, Director of Alumni Relations. One event you will be hearing about from him soon is a special service to honour Dr. Calvin Hanson, president emeritus, and to celebrate the proposed development of a new Calvin Hanson Chapel.
We are working to promote open and constructive communication with our alumni—not only updating you on the progress of the University, but also listening. Please feel free to email me at president@twu.ca with any questions or comments you may have.
Blessings in Christ, as we together attend to what the Lord is calling us to be.
JONATHAN RAYMOND, Ph.D.
President, Trinity Western University
p: 604-513-2021 | f: 604.513.2145 | e: president@twu.ca
July 24, 2009
New students need Financial Aid and Scholarship money more than ever, and every little bit helps.
There is a brand-new $1,000.00 tuition scholarship for seminary students given four times a year at http://www.seminaryscholarship.com
Please ask your webmaster to post a link to the site on your school's pages so students may take advantage of this resource.
Feel free to spread the word on Twitter, Facebook, email lists, newsletters, and any other form of communication you may employ.
Thank you.
Logos Bible Software
1313 Commercial St
Bellingham WA 98225
800-878-4191
http://www.logos.com/academic
July 7, 2009
The Graduate Student Association would like to announce to you all that this past April we made a $5000 donation to the TWU Library. This donation has been used for the purchase of online resources for the library. As part of our mission to enhance the educational environment for Graduate Students at TWU, we have recognized a need in this area, and chose to donate this sum from the GSA Legacy Fund.
The $5000 have been used by the TWU library to purchase the Cambridge Companion Series, which contains 122 e-books. It can be accessed at http://www.twu.ca/library/cco.htm
Please check out this great resource and take full advantage of it as you are able during your studies.
This donation was given to the library in early May, and was a gift from the GSA of the past year, 2008-2009.