January 28, 2002
Wayland takes to the high seas in latest extension of teaching reach
___PLAINVIEW--West Texas may be noted for its dry spell more than any link to seagoing vessels, but that hasn't stopped Wayland Baptist University from taking education to the high seas.
___Robert Kessler, an adjunct professor at the Plainview school, recently returned from 18 days aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Kukui, where he taught personal finance to 11 crew members while on a regular patrol about 10 miles from the Hawaiian shore.
CREW MEMBERS from the Coast Guard Cutter Kukui take an exam in their personal finance course in the ship's galley.
___The trip was a learning experience as well for Kessler, who is retired from the Army after 24 years of service. He traded his typical classroom for the ship's galley, where classes were held between meals.
___Coast Guard officials were flexible with schedules and other duties to allow their sailors to attend the classes. Even the ship's captain, who holds a master's degree, took the class because of interest in the subject.
___Between classes, the Baptist university professor visited with crew members, prepared for lessons and observed life on the 250-foot ship.
___He watched as the crew conducted daily maneuvers, boarded ships entering Hawaii harbors and interdicted drugs and illegal immigrants.
___Wayland operates a Hawaii campus at Aiea and began offering classes at Sand Island Coast Guard Station in Honolulu last year.
___"We will continue to seek creative ways of meeting the unique educational needs of the military to the extent we can," said Steven Reid, dean at the Hawaii campus. "We see this as an extension of existing programs in Hawaii. I have already committed to teaching on the next cutter going to American Samoa and Fiji."
___Plans are being made to offer more classes on ships departing on longer patrols, with destinations including Alaska, Guam, American Samoa and other islands during the coming year.
___Kessler said he'd jump at the chance to teach on a ship again.
___
Get printer-friendly version of this story
Send this story to a friend
News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.
Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!/ Signup for FirstLook
