ACADEMICS » FACULTY » Stephen Shumaker, Ph.D.

Stephen Shumaker
Professor
Dean, School of Arts and Sciences
Phone: 570.585.9340
Email: sshumaker@bbc.edu
Office room number: 337 Jackson Hall

Education
Ph.D., University of Dallas
M.A., University of Dallas
B.A., The Master’s College

Sample of classes taught
Ancient and Medieval Philosophy, Modern Philosophy, American Regime, Politics and Society, Microexegesis: Epistemology, Microexegesis: Edwards, Classical Epic, and Philosophy of History.

Personal
Family: Wife – Susie
Children – Stephen Jr., Autumn, and Micah

About Dr. Shumaker:
Dr. Stephen Shumaker has taught at BBC for over 10 years and is the current Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. He grew up in Japan, studied in Israel, and taught in Italy. He is married to Susie, his wife since 1990, and enjoys his lively children, Stephen, Autumn, and Micah. He earned his doctorate in Political Philosophy from the University of Dallas’ Institute of Philosophic Studies. His teaching focuses on the use of the Scriptures and great books for the sake of confronting and transforming students’ worldviews. As he would have it: Nothing is more practical than the pursuit of clarity and comprehensiveness of perspective.

Insight Questions
1. What is your favorite book?
Aside from the Scriptures, the book I find most challenging and intriguing at this time in my life is Plato’s rather famous dialogue, “The Republic.” (A close second would be C.S. Lewis’ “‘Til We Have Faces.”)

2. What are your hobbies?
I love to play the ancient Chinese board game with black and white stones called wei qi, or “go”.

3. Who has been your greatest spiritual influence?
My greatest spiritual influence during my youth was Dennis Wilhite. Since then I would have to say C.S. Lewis, Blaise Pascal, Jonathan Edwards and Eugene Peterson.

4. What goals do you have for your students?
To quote the Apostle Paul: My greatest desire for my students is that “the eyes of their heart may be enlightened” through their “walking worthy of their calling.” I am convinced that nothing is more practical than clarity and comprehensiveness of perspective, and that nothing contributes more to this than a heart that is sensitive and ready to obey in the very smallest things of life. Beyond this I leave it to God to lead his children as he sees fit.