Southwestern Says Goodbye to Randy Gilliam

Dr. Randy Gilliam

Southwestern students, faculty, and staff said farewell to Dr. Randy Gilliam, professor of education, at a special reception yesterday afternoon. He has been a member of the Southwestern Adventist University family since the 1970s when he was a college student here.

In 1998 he joined the education department at Southwestern, and has contributed to the school in many ways over his years of service.  Now Gilliam finds himself with new responsibilities as director of the education department for the Southwestern Union Conference.

Before his job at Southwestern, Gilliam served as an elementary school principal and teacher at Burton Adventist Academy.  He led many changes at Burton, such as adding Spanish classes to their curriculum.  Then from 1989 until 1998 he worked as an adjunct professor of education for the University of North Texas.

Gilliam has been a loved professor and a hardworking colleague at Southwestern since 1998, and served as chair of the education department from 2002 until 2010. “Under his leadership, the department of education earned a reputation for producing effective teachers,” says Ben McArthur, vice president for academic administration.

“I’m really sad because I’m going to miss having Dr. Gilliam as my professor,” says Stephanie Rudisaile, sophomore English and education major.

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