CCCK Professors Reach Service Milestones

Written by Brad Crown, CCCK Graphic Designer

McPherson, Kansas – Not many can proudly say they have worked at one location for 20, 25, or even 30 years. At Central Christian College of Kansas (CCCK), we are proud to acknowledge the milestone years of teaching that Dr. Charles Kaufmann (CC ’74 – 20 years of service), Dr. Larry Anderson (CC ’74 – 25 years of service), and Mr. Mike Craig (CS ’90 – 30 years of service) have given to the institution. It is a testament to their faithfulness over the years and the investment they have given to the students and the College as a whole.

At Central, we strive to develop people of Christ-like Character – people who exude the example of Christ through heart, soul, mind, and strength. These three gentlemen have consistently exuded such character time and time again. Students – past and present – regularly include these three among their favorite professors. They are dearly loved and respected amongst the Central community.

Recently, these three CCCK titans were honored for their years of service at the annual President’s Reception. The President’s Reception takes place each academic year following the conclusion of the spring semester. It is a time for CCCK faculty and staff to come together to recognize those persons who have achieved milestone years of service at the College. In addition, it is a time to say “thank you” to those who are leaving and, as of recent, to recognize that year’s CCCK Servant Leader.

30 years is a long time. Few people can say they have worked at one job for that amount of time. At CCCK, we proudly acknowledge the work and accomplishments of Mr. Michael Craig over his 30 years of service to the College. A man of character, Mr. Craig shows daily his love for Christ and his love for teaching.

Whether it is in his classes or as a student worker, students of CCCK are excited to work with Mr. Craig.

Christin Vetter (CC ’21) put it this way,

Mr. Craig is a fantastic teacher. He is so passionate about what he teaches, and he loves his students. I am forever impacted by his teaching and he has changed the way I look at the world.

Luke Koerperich (CC ’21), Mr. Craig’s student worker for the last four years said,

I have been able to see [Mr. Craig’s] ‘dedication to the craft’ you might say. He is a man of integrity, and consistently pursues excellence in all that he does with a joyful heart. It is evident that his character and manner of life has been shaped by Christ and His Word, and for that, I greatly look up to and respect him.

Mr. Craig is a person who is dedicated to many things, the Lord, family, friends, and Church. Pulling from a wonderful letter of congratulations, Dr. Robin Jackson (CS ’01 – ’20) says,

Mike was not just my boss and colleague, he is my friend. His family and my family have interfaced and been friends for many years. I not only had the privilege of being friends with Mike but we watched our families grow up, get married; taught each other’s children in classes, and had the connection this past year of sharing grandparent stories! We have held each other’s hand and encouraged one another in the pursuit of the Ph.D. and writing the dissertation. You know – all the things you do as a family – siblings, I suppose. And really that is who Mike Craig is to me: my brother! Certainly a brother in the Lord, but also a brother who is your relative and has your heart.

Dr. Charles Kaufman took on the task of listing 20 descriptors of statuses and character traits for Mr. Craig. To name a few, Christian, Scientist, do-it-yourselfer, son/father/grandfather, committed, great sense of humor, bright, critically observant, faithful, and in his own words,

To me…a friend and confidant with a great sense of humor.

Dr. Jacob Kaufman (CC ’03) is in agreement with each one of these testimonies, saying,

We give thanks to the Lord for the ministry and service [Mr. Craig] has provided to our students and the College…not to mention the great tomato plants he grows in his greenhouse. Thank you Mr. Mike Craig for these last 30 years. We are thankful for you and find great joy in your accomplishments.

Dr. Larry Anderson has served 25 years at CCCK. He has faithfully taught the Word of God in his classes to countless students over the years and many of those students would say he has helped to make a difference in their spiritual walk with Christ. In all the years he has served at Central, one thing has not changed: his dedication to the students of CCCK.

Near the end of the 2020-2021 academic year, Dr. Anderson was chosen by the faculty and students to receive the annual Faculty of Distinction Award. Receiving this honor not only conveys the character that Dr. Anderson displays but the love that the campus of CCCK has for him.

Dr. Anderson’s colleague in the Ministry and Theology Department, Dr. Mindi Cromwell (CS ’20), had this to say,

Rev. Dr. Larry Anderson, known by faculty and students alike as ‘Larry’, is a model of Christian integrity and faithfulness in and out of the classroom. In the classroom, his passion for the Word of God and the Biblical setting of scripture is contagious and has led many of his students into faith in Jesus and a deeper walk with him.

Dr. Jacob Kaufman, shared his appreciation, saying,

Many of us here have ‘Larry’ to thank for introducing us to Jesus, Church History, and biblical research. I personally have much to thank Larry for, who introduced me to Church history, and who also modeled when I was a student what it means to love the subject matter and present that love to the class. When I started teaching here at CCCK, I often imagined to myself, ‘What would Larry do?’ I am sure that many other faculty have found themselves in the same situation.

Dr. Charles Kaufmann is no doubt dedicated to the College. His hope for a successful CCCK can be seen by his dedication to attending CCCK events, asking clarifying questions during faculty and staff meetings, and having overall concern for the spiritual and mental health of his fellow colleagues. In a sense, he is a Renaissance man.

Mr. Michael Craig describes him as thorough, thoughtful, all-in, a scholar, and faithful and states,

He is faithful not only to his family but to his Lord Jesus. As stated in Proverbs 20:6, ‘Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?’

When asked about Dr. Kaufmann, Dr. Brett Janssen (CC ’01) stated,

It has been a pleasure working with Dr. Kaufmann. I appreciate his interest in a wide variety of topics across the disciplines, and particularly when he asks questions related to music from his point of view.

Central’s Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Jacob Kaufman, has worked alongside Dr. Kaufmann for many years now. He expressed his gratitude, saying,

Thank you Dr. Charles Kaufmann for your 20 years of service. Personally, I am grateful for your commitment to the mission of the College. Your attitude, conversations, and encouragement make CCCK better. We appreciate all that you have done and continue to do for CCCK.

Needless to say, the entire Central family is grateful for these three men. They have each lived their lives in pursuit of Christ and it shows. Proverbs 21:21 says, “Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.” No doubt, each of them has lived a Proverbs 21:21 life.

ABOUT CENTRAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE OF KANSAS

Central Christian College of Kansas is a regionally accredited institution offering undergraduate and graduate-level programs. Central strives to offer Christ-centered education for the whole person – heart, mind, soul, and strength. Its history dates back to 1884, and it is located in the friendly town of McPherson, Kansas. Central is a strategically small college that offers over forty areas of residential study and a thriving online program for non-traditional students. To learn more about Central go to centralchristian.edu/about. Visit the Foundation of Central Christian College to see what projects and events are coming up.