Outstanding Professors, Administrators Honored

ORLANDO, Florida — The Alliance for Assemblies of God Higher Education recognized half a dozen professors and administrators for their service Aug. 5 at General Council in Orlando. The recipients, who received financial remuneration, received their awards at a luncheon attended by around 90 educators at the Rosen Center.

The alliance exists to endorse and promote member schools, providing advocacy, professional development, and effective networking. There are 16 recognized AG institutions of higher learning in the U.S. Those institutions include universities, graduate schools, a seminary, Bible colleges, and specialized ethnic minority colleges.

Paul R. Alexander, president of Trinity Bible College & Graduate School in Ellendale, North Dakota, is serving as president of the alliance. He presided over the event, and invited both award winners and the college presidents of the institutions they represent to make brief comments at the podium.

Two of the honored professors are a husband-wife team from Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) in Waxahachie, Texas. Danny L. Alexander is communication arts faculty professor at the school, while his wife, Amy, is English faculty professor. They have worked for the school since 1980.

SAGU President Kermit S. Bridges said the couple consistently score the highest marks on annual student satisfaction surveys. He said their impact on SAGU is as significant as any teachers in the 94-year history of the school. Bridges lauded both for being outstanding communicators.

Danny Alexander, who has been an ordained AG minister since 1988, has been a youth pastor, music minister, evangelist, and, for 13 years, co-pastor of Commerce Assembly of God. In addition to their SAGU responsibilities, Danny and Amy minister at seminars and revival services around the U.S.

Another educator feted was Larry D. Dissmore, professor of music and director of orchestra activities at Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri. Dissmore, who has worked at the school since 1988, said the role modeling that teachers do before students is as important as the words of instruction they impart.

The fourth teacher honored was Kari L. Brodin, professor of biblical and theological studies at Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington. She has been at the school for 31 years. Northwest University President Joseph L. Castleberry commended Brodin for being a holistic educator who transfers deep knowledge to students in the classroom and elsewhere. Bible Quiz has been a passion of Brodin since childhood. She still coaches Bible Quiz at Cedar Park Church in Bothell, Washington.

Outstanding administrator awards went to Sheri Phillips, who just retired as vice president of student development at Evangel University, as well as Philip J. Rasmussen, vice president of church relations at Northwest University.

Mike L. Rakes, who took over as president of Evangel this week, honored the educators from his school as his first public function there. Rakes said Phillips labored faithfully, diligently, and effectively as one of the most outstanding administrators in the 66-year-old school’s history.

Phillips retired in May after 35 years at Evangel University, including her last eight as vice president for student development. She also taught graduate and undergraduate courses. Marty Phillips, her husband of 37 years, died last year at 60 from intractable epilepsy and frontotemporal dementia.

Castleberry said those around Rasmussen can discern a deep and abiding presence of God in his presence. Rasmussen has been an ordained AG minister since 1989.

John W. Kennedy

John W. Kennedy served as news editor of AG News from its inception in 2014 until retiring in 2023. He previously spent 15 years as news editor of the Pentecostal Evangel and seven years as news editor at Christianity Today.