From tomes on theology, critical theory, history, and social science to “GOATS,” honey bees, stigmatists, and the flora and fauna of campus, Grove City College faculty authors wrote something for nearly everyone in 2024 – including romance novels.
This past year saw 15 books written or co-written by 11 faculty and staff authors from a variety of academic departments. Their work reflects many facets of the Grove City College experience and represents the breadth of expertise and talent of its faculty.
Dr. Jan F. Dudt , professor of Biology, and Daniel Beevers ’24 published “The Plants of Grove City College,” a guide to the plant species that share the College’s 180-acre campus. Beevers, an award-winning conservation biology student, worked for three years under Dudt’s supervision to identify, photograph, and describe 285 distinct species of trees, wildflowers, ornamentals, and other plant types from the diverse Wolf Creek corridor through the other campus landscapes and habitats. “We completed the project last summer and are pleased to make this resource available to public,” Dudt said. The book is available exclusively at the Grove City College Bookstore and online at bookstore.gcc.edu.
Dr. Kimberly M. Miller, professor of Communication Arts, released two novels. “Time for Julie,” the first in her The Board book series, is a tale of lost and possibly rediscovered love complicated by “The Board,” a group of women who aren’t looking for love but have “Rules, Red Flags, Green Flags, and lots of advice” for those who might be, including Miller’s protagonist, widower Julie Monroe. In “Seriously, Sadie?,” Miller spins the story of Sadie Boggs, a “wild-haired café owner” who isn’t cut out for anything serious, especially the love of Jasper Kenton.
Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies Dr. Carl R. Trueman published “To Change All Worlds: Critical Theory from Marx to Marcuse” in October and “Crisis of Confidence: Reclaiming the Historic Faith in a Culture Consumed with Individualism and Identity” in January. In the former, Trueman traces critical theory’s history and development with a focus on key figures – Hegel, Marx, Korsch, Lukács, Reich, and Marcuse – and its various movements, evolutions, nuances, and consequences. In the latter, a revised version of his earlier work “The Creedal Imperative,” Trueman analyzes how creeds and confessions can help the Christian church navigate modern concerns.
Dr. George Van Pelt Campbell, professor of Biblical and Religious Studies, wrote “Loving God and Neighbor: A Guide to Reading, Teaching and Preaching Deuteronomy” with his son Rev. Derek Van Pelt Campbell. The book digs into the Old Testament text and provides a resource for Bible study and preaching.
Dr. Jeffrey Bilbro, associate professor of English, published two books in 2024. “Words for Conviviality: Media Technologies and Practices of Hope” explores the industrialization of printing in early 19th-century America, how that transformation parallels those being wrought now by the digital revolution, how writers of that earlier period developed new metaphors in response to technology, and the lessons we can draw from that earlier upheaval. Bilbro followed that up with “Exile's Journey,” a book of poetry covering a diversity of themes in the tradition of Wendell Berry and Henry David Thoreau.
Professor of Political Science Dr. Paul Kengor’s “The Stigmatists: Their Gifts, Their Revelations, Their Warnings” offers a serious look at a fascinating phenomenon that interests Catholics, Protestants, and secular audiences. The book focuses on Church-approved stigmatists and the revelations, prophecies, and warnings they shared.
Dr. Christopher B. Ansberry, professor of Biblical and Religious Studies, produced two books in 2024. His “Reading Wisdom and Psalms as Christian Scripture: A Literary, Canonical, and Theological Introduction” is part of Baker Academic press’ Reading Christian Scripture series. This survey textbook offers an accessible introduction to the wisdom books and Psalms in their literary, theological, and canonical contexts. Ansberry’s “Proverbs: A Discourse Analysis of the Hebrew Bible” is part of Zondervan’s Exegetical Commentary on the Old Testament series. Designed for the pastor and Bible teacher, Ansberry’s analysis of Proverbs demonstrates how a biblical author says something is just as important as what they say.
Professor of Psychology Dr. Lucian “Luke” G. Conway published “Liberal Bullies: What Psychology Teaches Us About the Left’s Authoritarian Problem – And How to Fix It” this summer. The book shines a light on the authoritarian tendencies of the left, part of a “threat circle” of left-right disdain that threatens democratic norms and cannot be ignored.
“The Volleyball Trip: A Story of Players Learning to Become Better Teammates and Leaders” by Head Volleyball Coach and Associate Athletic Director for Sport Ministry Leo R. Sayles and Jamy Bechler is a novel designed to help individuals understand how to be better teammates and more positive leaders.
Biology Professor Dr. Tracy S. Farone’s “Honey Bee Vet – The adventures of a veterinarian seeking to doctor one of the world's most important animals” compiles stories from Farone’s journey into the world of apiculture to guide beekeepers in their work. The book covers a wide range of topics, including bee biology and medicine, and provides practical and inspirational advice.
Dr. Gary Scott Smith ’72, professor emeritus of History, continues writing in retirement with “The Greatest Sports Stars of All-Time: Fifteen Fantastic Athletes.” The book looks at sports superstars – often known as GOATs (greatest of all time) – from the past century, including Serena Williams, Jack Nicklaus, Mia Hamm, Pelé, Wayne Gretzky, and others.
While it won’t be out until April of 2025, readers can pre-order order “Mere Economics: Lessons for and from the Ordinary Business of Life” by Dr. Caleb Fuller ’13, associate professor Economics, and Samford University economist Art Carden. With a play on the title of the seminal C.S. Lewis work, Fuller and his co-author explore “mere economics” —the study of how people expand their options by cooperating – and seek to communicate the timeless truths of economics that have united thinkers for centuries and do so by way of fun examples and witty commentary. Along the way, they argue that the heavens declare the glory of God, and so does the market price system, Fuller said.
Note: Unless otherwise noted, these books are available from a number of online marketplaces.