Faculty retiring with emeritus status
Former deans, teaching award recipients among them
![](https://earth.callutheran.edu/news/images/stories/14306_10036_640.jpg?m=1619027812)
Associate professor of biology Kenneth Long was the first of the emeriti faculty to arrive at Cal Lutheran 32 years ago, and he has been at the forefront of physiology and neuroscience curriculum.
(THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — April 21, 2021) Seven California Lutheran University faculty members with a combined total of more than 160 years of service are retiring with emeritus status.
The Board of Regents awarded the honor to political science professor Michael Brint, psychology professor Marylie Gerson, English professor Joan Griffin, associate professor of practical theology Carol Jacobson, psychology professor Steve Kissinger, associate professor of biology Kenneth Long and counselor education professor Gail Uellendahl.
Brint served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences from 2000 to 2005 and as the Uyeno-Tseng Professor of International Studies since 2005. The Santa Monica resident and two-time Diversity Professor of the Year started Cal Lutheran’s study abroad program at Oxford University and the first Diversity Council.
Gerson’s love of mentoring brought her to Cal Lutheran in 2001. She has worked to excite and guide student researchers and previously served as director of the Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship. The Westlake Village resident received the President’s Award for Teaching Excellence in 2012.
Griffin served as dean of Cal Lutheran’s College of Arts and Sciences from 2007 to 2017 before joining the faculty. Her areas of scholarship have focused on the intersections of pagan and Christian cultures in Irish religious and literary texts, but the Moorpark resident has taught a wide variety of courses throughout her career.
Jacobson began teaching at Cal Lutheran’s Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary in 1996. The Emeryville resident’s research interests include the relationship of neuroscience and faith formation. She has served as director of the Diaconal Ministry Program, chair of the Academic Committee and theses coordinator at PLTS.
Kissinger started his career at Cal Lutheran in 1991. His specialty is animal learning and memory, but he has taught nearly every nonclinical psychology course. Students appreciate his fun and inspiring approach to teaching. The Thousand Oaks resident also served as the faculty mentor to athletic teams and adviser to mascots.
Long was the first of the emeriti faculty to arrive at Cal Lutheran 32 years ago, and he has been at the forefront of physiology and neuroscience curriculum. Known for his sense of humor, he helped countless student researchers pursue their passions. The Thousand Oaks resident has received National Science Foundation grants.
A first-generation college student, Uellendahl has advocated for students from historically underrepresented backgrounds and her recent research has focused on first-generation graduate students. The Los Angeles resident chaired her department for 19 years and received the President’s Award for Teaching Excellence in 2013.
More
- Important Update about PLTS and the GTU from Rector Dr. Raymond Pickett
August 26, 2024PLTS has for the past several years been adapting to the changing landscape of theological education and the church by developing a robust Distributed Learning version of our degree programs and creating programs for a broader audience. The Graduate Theological Union has also been changing. As the seminary continues to implement its strategic vision for the future, we have made the difficult decision to leave the Graduate Theological Union in two years.
- News About PLTS Residential Programs
March 13, 2024 - Rev. Dr. Anthony Bateza at the 2023 Luther Lecture
March 24, 2023 - More than 200 attend hybrid film screening for "The Ants and the Grasshopper"
February 16, 2023 - Dr. Arvin Gouw 2023 Mohrenweiser Lecture
February 16, 2023PLTS was immensely fortunate to welcome Dr. Arvin Gouw for our 2023 Mohrenweiser Lecture. Dr. Gouw clearly described the mechanism and uses of CRISPR for a lay audience, and then dug deeper into the ethical and religious implications of this powerful gene-editing tool. Afterward, Dr. Ted Peters offered a response that pushed religious leaders, particularly pastors, to think through how the existence and increasing prominence of this technology might affect their congregants.
We encourage you to watch and share the below video of this lecture and continue the conversation.
- Dr. Larry Rasmussen - Founders' Day 2022 Lecture
November 10, 2022PLTS welcomed Dr. Larry Rasmussen to give the 2022 Founders' Day Lecture to our gathered community in-person and online. Watch Dr. Rasmussen's lecture below.
- Seminary starts programs for change agents
March 2, 2022California Lutheran University’s Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS) is offering new programs to prepare religious leaders and laypeople to work for social and environmental change with online options.
- Faculty retiring with emeritus status
April 21, 2021Seven California Lutheran University faculty members with a combined total of more than 160 years of service are retiring with emeritus status.
- Fall 2020 Update
June 23, 2020Given that health officials have indicated that the COVID-19 health crisis will be with us through the fall, we have decided to deliver the courses that had been scheduled face-to-face for the fall 2020 semester virtually.
- PLTS faculty statement regarding George Floyd, racism and white supremacy
June 10, 2020