The SSU Family
 |
PRESIDENT ROBERT J. CHEATLEY B.SC. AGR. (GUELPH), B.MIN. (SSU) Bob Cheatley first became part of the SSU family in 1997 when he joined the Board of Governors. Eager to experience more of SSU life, he enrolled in the Ministry program as a student, receiving his B.Min in 2002. Bob has put his business background and intimate understanding of our community to good use as SSU's second president. Bob and his wife Marlene live in the beautiful town of St. Andrews. One of Bob's favorite things is walking the nature trail along the St. Croix river on his lunch breaks. |
| FACULTY | |
 |
RICK COATES B.ENG (TUNS), B.MIN, M.MIN (SSU) Librarian Rick Coates may not be your conventional librarian; he spent most of his early career in software development (think Dilbert comics). So he does know nearly everything there is to know about computers, which is handy in the library; but more importantly, Rick is passionate about helping SSU succeed. Rick helps us all "get things done", a skill for which we are all grateful. Rick and his wife Wilma live just 4 blocks away from the SSU campus. One of Rick's favorite things is rocking out on the electric guitar. |
 |
A. GREGG FINLEY B.A., M.A., PH.D. (UNB) Dean of Arts/Registrar Gregg Finley's research and writing explores themes in Canadian history, church architecture and the relationship between Christianity and culture. Ask anyone and you will get the same answer, Gregg LOVES history; in particular, he is passionate about the history of Celtic Christianity. Before he joined the SSU family, Gregg taught at some of our neighbouring universities in New Brunswick, as well as holding positions as executive director of King’s Landing Historical Settlement and chief curator of the New Brunswick Museum. Gregg and his wife Linda live in an hour and a half away in Fredericton. One of Gregg's favorite things is cooking his famous "Celtic" spaghetti. |
 |
PETER D. FITCH B.A. (BETHEL), M.DIV. (DENVER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY), D.MIN. (FULLER) Dean of Ministry Studies Peter Fitch didn't know when he started his undergrad at the University of Western Ontario that he would end up teaching at the smallest university in Canada. But, fresh out of graduate school, Pete found himself at St. Stephen's University. Peter is passionate about building healthy leaders that will, in turn, build healthy Christian communities. His main academic focus is the History of Christian Spirituality, though he also teaches other courses in Philosophy, Biblical Studies, and Practical Theology. Peter and his wife Mary Ellen live across the street from the SSU campus. One of Peter's favorite things is sitting at his kitchen counter sharing homemade bread with whoever is visiting. |
 |
AGNES KRAMER-HAMSTRA, B.A. (UWO), B.Ed (UWO), M.A. (McMASTER) Ph.D. (McMASTER) Literature Agnes Kramer-Hamstra only recently decided that she wanted to be a professor of literature "when she grew up". Drawn in by the power of story, Agnes pursued that passion all the way to the Ph.D level. Prior to her studies Agnes helped raise a few children, loving the excuse to read new and old children’s stories and songs (Fraggle Rock, Bill Parks’ Wallace and Grommit). To help put food on the table, she worked in a public library (all those books!). Agnes and her husband Andy live in St. Stephen. One of Agnes's favorite things is scouting out lakes and rivers good for canoeing and swimming. She is learning to catch (and clean) fish. |
 |
WALTER J. THIESSEN, B.R.S. (CONCORD COLLEGE), M.A. (MENNONITE BRETHREN BIBLICAL SEMINARY), D.TH. (UNISA) Associate Dean of Arts Walter Thiessen started his career as a Christian counsellor because he was "frustrated with the lack of wholeness in many Christians' lives". Walter's Mennonite roots have inspired in him a great passion for issues of social justice as well. He is dedicated to understanding and practicing Christian healing that integrates personal wholeness with social justice and peace. Walter is married to Carol Thiessen, who can be found cooking up a storm in the SSU kitchen. One of Walter's favorite things is watching a really good movie. |
| STAFF | |
 |
SHEILA BROOKS Financial Aid Officer and Executive Assistant to the President Sheila Brooks and SSU stick together like paper and glue. Sheila joined the SSU family 12 years ago when she decided she could use her super-helping-people-powers more completely. As our financial aid officer, Sheila combines her Acadian exuberance and many administrative skills to help our students find much needed funds to pay for their education. Sheila shares a house in St. Stephen with her husband, Brian, and her mother, known to SSUers as "ma mere". Many students have been "adopted" into the Brook's home as well; in Sheila you will always find a cheerful face and a comforting shoulder. One of Sheila's favorite things is extreme sports involving water. |
 |
PATRICIA COATES, B.A. (SSU) Marketing & Admissions Patricia moved to St. Stephen at 13 years old when her parents decided to attend SSU's Ministry program. As she grew up in the SSU community she quickly decided she wanted to experience SSU as a student as well. After completing her degree, Patricia spent her brief hiatus from SSU working other jobs and writing a book inspired by the university's Europe Study Abroad program (a book which we now use as a text on that trip). Patricia jumped at the opportunity to rejoin SSU as an employee; she loves working with her dad (Rick), with whom she shares the passion for "getting things done". One of Patricia's favorite things is throwing off-campus costume parties for students. |
 |
LORNA JONES, B.A. (Gordon College); M.R.E. (Acadia); Spiritual Direction (AASEA) Financial Officer, Spiritual Director Lorna Jones has been a vital part of the SSU family for many years. She came to St. Stephen in 1991 and so fell in love with the SSU community that she has never looked back! She brings many talents to our community—spiritual direction, teaching, and book-keeping, to name only a few! Lorna is known for her calm demeanor, bringing peace to all who are near. One of Lorna's favorite things is taking beautiful photos of her natural surroundings. |
 |
KENDALL KADATZ, B.A. Religious Studies (RMC); BA (SSU); BEd (UNB); MEd CANDIDATE (UNB) Enrolment, Development Kendall Kadatz came to SSU after spending some time teaching English as a Second Language in Korea with some SSU grads. Kendall first experienced SSU as a student (where he obtained one of his three bachelor's degrees). Having sampled Pad Thai in 6 different countries (individual locations too numerous to list), Kendall is now our resident Pad Thai connoisseur. He also does many other things, like recruiting, marketing, admissions...the list goes on! Kendall can often be seen working on his yard with his wife Shelley (just a stone's throw away from campus). One of Kendall's favorite things is letting his beard grow out. |
 |
SHELLEY PERRY, B.A. (SSU); M.A. CANDIDATE (SSU) Marketing & Admissions, Associate Registrar Shelley Perry is our resident SSU "Islander" (for those of you who don't know, that means she's from PEI). She first came to St. Stephen's as a student and, like so many of us, fell in love with the place. She has found herself in many different roles at SSU over the years; lately, she has been spending some of her time as Gregg's apprentice as she writes her Master's thesis on Celtic history (while still working for SSU at the same time—can you say "multi-tasker extraordinaire"). One of Shelley's favorite things is her weekly ritual of watching Grey's Anatomy with a group of friends. |
 |
CAROL THIESSEN Food Services Coordinator Carol Thiessen is responsible for SSU's amazing home-cooked meals. She makes amazing homemade bread and soups and pies. Carol believes that meals at SSU should represent a balance between healthy, well-balanced food and sustainable, economical buying practices. Carol loves providing a place where students have the opportunity to learn basic cooking skills while singing music at the top of their lungs and banging pots and pans. Carol is a bit of a competitive person; she was once bet that she couldn't make a pie in 15 minutes. She finished it in 11 (complete with little cut-out pastry hearts). Carol and Walter host periodic movie nights at their house which is a short walk from campus. One of Carol's favorite things is playing speed scrabble with students in between meal prep. |
ADJUNCT FACULTY
JOHN H. EVANS B.A., LL.B. (UNB), B.MIN. (SSU)
Asian Studies
LORNA JONES, B.A. (GORDON COLLEGE); M.R.E. (ACADIA); SPIRITUAL DIRECTION (AASEA)
Spiritual Formation
DAN LAMBRIDES, B.S. (NYACK COLLEGE), M.A. (WHEATON), M.DIV. (BETHEL), D.MIN. (COLGATE-ROCHESTER)
Counselling
ROBERT LARMER, B.A. (CARLETON); M.A., PH.D. (OTTAWA)
Philosophy
LOIS MITCHELL, B.A. (UNB), M.SC. (WATERLOO), PH.D. (UNB), D.D. (ACADIA)
Sociology, International Studies
JENS NEUMAN, B.A. (UNB), B.ED (STU), M.A. (UNB), M.DIV. (ACADIA)
German
KATHLEEN PATCHELL, B.A. (MANITOBA), B.ED., M.A., PH.D CANDIDATE (OTTAWA)
Literature
ALAN M. SEARS, B. ED., M. ED. (UNB), PH.D. (UBC)
International Studies
MARGARET ANNE SMITH, B.A. (ST. FRANCIS XAVIER), M.A., PH.D. (QUEEN'S)
Literature
LECTURERS
RACHAEL BARHAM, B.A. (EXETER), B.MIN (SSU), M.A. (EXETER), M.MIN CANDIDATE (SSU)
French
HANNAH BERNARD, B.A., M.A. (SSU)
Literature
KRISTEN BEST, B.A. (SSU), M.A., M.B.A. (REGENT UNIVERSITY)
International Studies/Economics
EDWARD J. GENTRY, B.S. (U. OF ALABAMA), M.C.S. (REGENT COLLEGE)
Biblical Studies