History

Houghton has provided training and preparation for missions for many years. By 1892 its three-year diploma course was designed to "place within reach of young men and women called of God to gospel work, the facilities for acquiring a thorough, practical, theological training for the ministry, or for evangelistic missionary work."

As Houghton expanded into a full liberal arts school a strong reputation for contributing to the world of missions emerged. Houghton produced many doctors and nurses, educators, radio workers, linguists and other servants overseas. Houghton alumni in missions have named over 80 different faculty from the last four decades who were most influential in preparing them for missions. A minor in missions, taught by faculty with missions experience and training, has supplemented the strong majors that gave the tools and skills for Houghton's students to serve around the world. Dr. Warren Woolsey taught missions in Houghton for three decades.

Building on the past, in the 1990's steps toward formal linguistics and intercultural studies programs were taken. Dr. David Pollock, a leader in cross-cultural training, came as part-time faculty in the late 1980's and assisted Houghton with internationalizing its entire curriculum. A precusor to the current major, a program in international studies was started by the early 1990's. Then Wycliffe Bible Translators and Houghton forged an affiliation whereby WBT personnel came on loan to teach linguistics at Houghton. A 15 hour linguistics minor was added to the college's missions minor. Stephen and Margie Doty, experienced linguist/translators from the South Pacific, pioneered the program. Currently Dr. Andrew and Sherry Gallman teach linguistics after teaching linguistics in Dallas and serving as linguist/administrators in the Philippines and the South Pacific. Four years ago, Dr. Jon Arensen joined Houghton faculty to teach anthropology and pioneer a semester of intergrative studies in Tanzania. His lifetime of rich experience with African culture combined with fine academic background made for an instantly popular and rewarding off campus program and large enrollments in cultural anthropology and cross-cultural communications classes during alternate semesters on campus. The building blocks were in place for the new Intercultural Studies Major.

With the support and encouragement of Academic Dean and Political Science professor, Dr. Ron Oakerson, a committee headed by Dr. Gallman worked for a year to put together the format for the new major. It won academic committee and full faculty approval in the Spring of 2000. In near record time, the Department of Education of the State of New York, approved the new program by the Fall of 2000. The aim of the major is to prepare well-equipped change agents for a variety of cross-cultural situations and ministries -- people with skills to listen, learn, communicate, understand, grow, serve, and make decisions.

In 2001 Houghton the first eight seniors graduate with the Intercultural Studies major. In the first year alone, fifty Houghton students have declared the Intercultural Studies major and in 2001-2002 students are entering Houghton with the major in place.