Dr. Jonathan S. Penland

Education/Degrees:

• Ph.D. – University of Georgia
• Grad. Certificate – UGA Odum School of Ecology
• Ph.D. – University of Georgia
• Grad. Certificate – UGA College of Education
• M.A.- Columbia International University
• B.A. – Toccoa Falls College

Honors/Awards:

• 2014 – Participant at the CCCU’s Leadership Development Institute on June 913, 2014 at Cedar Springs Christian Retreat Center in Sumas, Washington.
• 2013 – Wade Distinguished Scholar Faculty Award at Toccoa Falls College
• 2012 – Faculty member of impact
• 2010 – Faculty member of impact
• 2007 – Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
• 2006 – Faculty of the Year
• 2005 – Wade Distinguished Scholar Faculty Award at Toccoa Falls College

What courses do you teach at TFC?

• Cultural Anthropology
• Applied Ethnography (Social Research)
• Exploring Religious Belief Systems
• Planning & Administration of Adult Ed
• Western Thought and Culture
• Intro to Sustainable Community Development

Research Interests:

• Intercultural Factors in Education
• Intercultural Competency
• Community Development
• Environmental Education
• Sustainability

Scholarly Work and Publications:

• Publications
  • 2013 Dissertation for Ph.D. in Anthropology Expanding our Understanding of the Knowledge-action Process following Environmentally-based Study Abroad Programs. http://purl.galileo.usg.edu/uga_etd/penland_jonathan_s_201305_phd
• Book Reviews: 
  • 2014 Missiology October 2014 Book reviewed: The World until Yesterday: What we can learn from Traditional Societies.
  • 2006 Missiology October 2006 Book reviewed: Finding God in the Singing River: Christianity, Spirit, and Nature.
  • 2005 Missiology January 2005 Book reviewed: Creole Religions of the Caribbean: An Introduction from Vodou and Santería to Obeah and Espiritismo.
  • Chapter in Book 2006 International Cross-cultural Internships. In H. Atkinson, Manual for Ministry Internships (pp.8389). Toccoa, GA: Crooked Creek Publishing.
  • Translation 2008 Welch, J. W. (Comp.). Proceedings of the First International Watershed Management Research Symposium (J. S. Penland & S. A. Flores, Trans.). University of Georgia—Costa Rica. San Luis, Monteverde.
• Conference Presentations
  • 2014 – Presentation on the Implications of an Expanded Understanding of the Knowledge-action Process for Discipleship and Leadership Development among Diaspora Peoples at the Southeast Regional Gathering of the Evangelical Missiological Society at Columbia International University on March 29, 2014.
  • 2013 – Presentation on Expanding our Understanding of the Knowledge-action Process at the Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia Conference at the Classic Center in Athens, Georgia. http://www.eealliance.org/annualconference

• Official Worker in South Atlantic District of C&MA
• Evangelical Missiological Society
• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
• IDI Qualified Administrator

When I’m away from the classroom, I enjoy:

• Hiking
• Camping
• Fishing
• Horticulture
• Movies

People might be interested to know:

• I pastor Valley Community Church in a fantastic small community called Tate City at the edge of the Southern Nantahala Wilderness.

Jeremiah 42:10b

“I will build you up and not tear you down, I will plant you and not uproot you.”

Psalms 1:3

“That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not withe —whatever they do prospers.”

I deeply enjoy seeing students have transformative learning moments when a new insight opens brand new ways of seeing and understanding our world.