Former Indiana Wesleyan graduates and college sweethearts, Joshua and Sarah Derck exemplify the success that the dichotomy of classroom and hands on experience provides for the modern college graduate.
In 2012, the Dercks became one of the rare Houghton families that includes both a staff and a faculty member. Josh Derck works on the maintenance front while Sarah Derck works in the classroom. The couple described how their individual vantage points present a holistic perspective of the school.
Josh and Sarah Derck met at school in Indiana where they both pursued bachelor’s degrees in Biblical Studies. While in school, Josh found Biblical Studies a comfortable realm for study because he was a “pastor’s kid.” He pursued this interest and received a master’s degree in New Testament from Nazarene Theological Seminary. In college, he worked as a student worker in maintenance where he discovered skills in maintenance and leadership. His skill set in this field allowed him to find jobs around the world as he and his family traveled to England. He worked in facility management while Sarah finished her Ph.D. program in Old Testament at the University of Manchester.
Josh now works for Sodexo and manages five employees as the Building Trades Leader and safety coordinator for his unit. Contrary to his former work in maintenance, his position in management results in more paperwork and overseeing projects such as painting, carpentry, set-ups, and teardowns of events. An important part of his job is finding “creative ways to do things, manage people, and make sure they’re enjoying their job,” he said.
Finance resources are a challenge for Josh and his team, but he said, “You just have to do your best with limited resources.” Along with his management role, Josh enjoys hands on projects the best. Recently, he and his team helped set up the Willie Cole Exhibit in the Ortlip Gallery. He said it was a great experience to work with a world-renowned artist and to help mount the pieces.
Sarah originally pursued a career in secondary education at Indiana Wesleyan with the influence of her mother as a teacher. Her original goal of becoming a secondary English teacher changed after taking classes in Bible as her interest in Theological Studies grew. She knew she wanted to be a teacher, but the college classroom was new for her.
Currently, Sarah works as a full-time Professor of Old Testament teaching Biblical Literature as well as all of the upper level Old Testament courses. She mentioned that her greatest satisfaction in her work is when she is, “able to have a conversation that helps a student see God in new ways.” Junior, Jessica Vaughn mentioned, “So many people trust her to listen well and speak honestly into their lives. She is very generous with her time.”
Sarah discussed how one challenge in building these relationships is her busy schedule, yet according to Vaughn, Sarah always seems to be meeting with students outside of class and investing in their lives. Despite limited time in her day, she commits her teaching to helping students understand that “their experience with God doesn’t encompass all of humanity.” Vaughn testified to this statement saying, “Dr. Derck helped me to see that the church is much bigger than one tradition, and that it is in the conversations we have across differences that we find the richness and depth of our faith.” Sarah desires to connect with her students with a teaching style that is “invitational rather than confrontational.” Sarah is also an ordained Wesleyan pastor, giving her a dynamic approach to her teaching.
Josh found his technical experience more practical in his career, and Sarah found that her education in Theology propelled her forward into a career as a professor. Both used their undergraduate experience to explore career possibilities. For Josh, he did not enter into a career involving what he studied. He joked that his fellow staff members direct theological questions to him because of his masters in New Testament.
Josh and Sarah Derck share the common goal of helping students. Josh said, in reference to helping students with direct problems such as room maintenance or projects, “That’s why I do my job. So they can have a good experience.” Although the Dercks work different positions on campus, their common goals of service strengthen Houghton’s goal expressed in the Community Covenant to live in a way that “honors Christ, follows biblical principles, builds loving relationships, and develops whole Christians who will be active in serving Christ.”
When the Dercks are not busily working around campus, they enjoy walking in the woods or reading with their two children. They enjoy catching up on British Television comedies and mysteries or antiquing around local towns. They also exercise their creativity in projects including knitting, nature photography, and carpentry. This multi-dimensional Houghton family balances work and living in a Christian community through their careers, relationships, and creative outlets.