Dr. Seulgi Byun, associate professor and chair of the Department of Biblical & Religious Studies and Philosophy, is Grove City College’s 2022 Omicron Delta Kappa Professor of the Year.
Byun is an Old Testament scholar whose research areas include the prophetic books and the ancient translations of the Hebrew Bible, especially the Septuagint. He joined the College faculty in 2016 and has made an invaluable impact on scores of students through his teaching and mentorship.
The award will be presented on Wednesday, April 27 at the College’s annual Recognition Convocation. Omicron Delta Kappa is a national leadership honorary that has recognized collegiate scholarship, leadership, and citizenship for more than a century. The Grove City College chapter has been honoring faculty with the Professor of the Year award since 2000.
Byun teaches courses on the Old Testament, world religions, and in the Humanities Core. He is well regarded by students who admire him for his expertise in his field, for being an articulate and thoughtful teacher, and for his generous and wise counsel.
“Dr. Byun is not only an excellent lecturer and teacher but pours into his students and the community around him. He has played a huge role in my spiritual growth as well as many others on campus,” senior Cassidy Kohmann said.
“He is an articulate and thoughtful teacher who reaches his students on both an academic and a personal level. When I consider how I want my faith to shape me as a person, Dr. Byun is the first example that comes to my mind,” senior Elissa Morgan said.
Byun also serves as the Executive Director of the College’s Project on Rural Ministry, which serves rural pastors in western Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia by fostering College, church, and community partnerships.
A native of South Korea, Byun grew up in Japan, where his parents still serve as missionaries. He earned undergraduate degrees in biblical studies, economics, and biochemistry from Gordon College, an M.A. and M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Hebrew Studies from Cambridge University.
He completed additional graduate studies at Harvard University and Hebrew University, Jerusalem. Prior to Grove City College, he taught at Gordon College and at Oak Hill College, a seminary in London, England.
In addition to scholarly presentations and book reviews, Byun has published books and articles on Isaiah and Esther, contributed introductions to several Old Testament books for the NIV Proclamation Bible, and has several books forthcoming, including a commentary on Deuteronomy and “A Christian’s Pocket Guide to Trusting the Old Testament.”