Former New Albany resident Dr. Houston Thompson new dean of Olivet's School of Professional Studies

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Dr. Houston Thompson, Olivet's new dean of the School of Professional Studies and administrative dean of the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies

BOURBONNAIS, IL (08/14/2013)(readMedia)-- Olivet Nazarene University announces the appointment of Dr. Houston Thompson, a former New Albany resident, as the new dean of the School of Professional Studies and administrative dean of the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies. Thompson leaves his duties as chair of Olivet's Department of Social Work and Criminal Justice to accept this position.

"Dr. Thompson's abilities, experiences and training suit him well for this new, expanded role and responsibility," said Dr. Dennis Crocker, vice president for academic affairs. "His attention to detail is one of his strengths. He is a natural leader who quickly inspires others' trust and also an effective communicator. Both of these qualities will serve him - and Olivet - well in this new position."

Thompson will lead ten undergraduate departments, as well as provide direction for the master's and doctoral programs.

In 2007, Thompson received the Alumni Distinguished Achievement Award from Nazarene Bible College. In 2005, he received the Professional of the Year Award from the Southern Indiana Chamber of Commerce.

Thompson is a graduate of Nazarene Bible College, Colorado Springs, Colo., and MidAmerica Nazarene University, Olathe, Kan. He earned a master's degree in church management from Olivet, as well as a master's degree in social work from Spalding University, Louisville, Ky. His doctorate degree is from Trevecca Nazarene University, Nashville, Tenn.

Thompson also holds a certificate in fund raising management from The Fund Raising School, a program of The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. His professional writing has included articles for local newspaper columns; grants for funding; and a textbook chapter on conflict management in the church.

Currently, he serves on the board of directors for the United Way of Kankakee County (Ill.). He is a licensed social worker in the state of Indiana, and has previously enjoyed successful careers as a school social worker and director of a faith-based community ministry.

As an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene, he has served as a pastor in Nazarene churches in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Indiana. He continues to preach in area churches by invitation.

He and his wife, Martha (Martin), have one daughter, Rebekah, who resides in Indiana with her husband, Josh, and their children, Jonah and Kaylin.

Olivet Nazarene University is an accredited Christian, liberal arts university offering more than 100 areas of undergraduate and graduate study, including the Doctor of Education in ethical leadership. Olivet has one main campus in Bourbonnais, Ill. - just 50 miles south of Chicago; three additional sites: Rolling Meadows and Oak Brook, Ill., and Hong Kong; and more than 100 School of Graduate and Continuing Studies learning locations throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest. From Oxford to Tokyo, hundreds of Olivet students also experience the global classroom each year, whether through study abroad opportunities or worldwide mission trips.

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Contact:

Laura Warfel

Public Relations Specialist

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Ill.

www.olivet.edu

815-928-5403

lwwarfel@olivet.edu