News by Tess Chierici His sense of humor creates a relaxed atmosphere in his classes.

Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous News | Send mail to The Voice Dr. Baxter to be speech department chairperson While teaching at Multnomah, Dr. Baxter is working on a Master of Arts. -Liz Spiger, photo Dr. Nate Baxter will replace Dr. Jeff Arthurs as the new chairperson of the speech communication department. Dr. Baxter has been teaching public speaking part-time at Multnomah Bible College since 2000. Aaron Richardson, junior, said he enjoyed Dr. Baxter's variety of teaching styles in his public speaking class. He said Dr. Baxter uses video clips and asks his students questions to help them think critically. Critical thinking, along with listening and humility, are some of Dr. Baxter's qualities, Dr. Arthurs said. He said Dr. Baxter also has a good sense of humor. Alana Pedersen, sophomore, said that Dr. Baxter's sense of humor creates a relaxed atmosphere in his classes. Both Richardson and Pedersen said that Dr. Baxter is a powerful communicator who relates well with his students. Another one of Dr. Baxter's strengths is integrating theology with communication studies, Dr. Arthurs said. Theology is Dr. Baxter's passion. He said he started in communications because the field allows him to pursue the communicational aspects of theology along with his other interests in music and history. He leads worship and a choir as the music director of Clackamas Bible Church. Dr. Baxter has taught since graduate school. He has enjoyed helping students apply communication skills in their lives. He will still teach public speaking, along with interpersonal communication, persuasion, ecclesiology and eschatology, and a new course, intercultural communications. "He'll do well to keep his head above sea level for the next couple of years," Dr. Arthurs said. Dr. Baxter said he knows he will stay busy with course preparation and administration. Dr. Baxter doesn't foresee any drastic changes in the speech communication major. He said he wants to experiment with integrating theology into the major. "I'm interested in exploring the current interests in the major from preliminary conversations with students," he said. Dr. Baxter is a student himself. He is working on a master of arts in exegetical theology at Western Seminary. He plans to take preaching and theology courses this summer and finish his Hebrew courses next year. He and his wife, Tiffany, are also in the process of buying their first home. They will celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary June 7, 2002. Dr. Arthurs and Dr. Baxter are related in a roundabout way. Dr. Arthurs' wife, Liz, is the cousin of Dr. Baxter's father. Dr. Arthurs and Dr. Baxter have been acquaintances from the time Dr. Baxter was in high school. Dr. Arthurs said, "I sort of tracked with him through undergrad and graduate school. I had my eye on him for years." Back to Table of Contents | Back to Main Index Previous News | Top Of Page Send mail to The Voice| Journalism department website © 2002 The Voice. No part of this publication may be reproduced in written or electronic form without prior written consent from the journalism adviser of Multnomah Bible College. All rights reserved.