Harro Van Brummelen, former dean of education and professor emeritus at Trinity Western University in Langley, British Columbia, was recently honored with the very first Special Award for Lifelong Service to Education.
Harro Van Brummelen with Dr. Kimberly Franklin, the current dean of education at TWU..
The award was presented by the Association of British Columbia Deans of Education. Van Brummelen was selected for his work in developing and advocating for quality education programs. He was also a founding member of the Association and served as its first chair.
Van Brummelen is an internationally recognized scholar in the field of Christian education. In 1986 he was a founding professor of the education department at TWU, helping to develop its Bachelor of Education program.
After retiring from TWU in 2010, he served until recently as the executive director of Christian Studies International. He attends Willoughby Christian Reformed Church in Langley.
“I am immensely grateful that God enabled me to use my gifts to serve students and educators in Western Canada and around the world—and always provided committed, talented, and cooperative colleagues, without whom this award would not have been possible. There are many others I can think of who deserve such an award as much as myself,” Van Brummelen said.
The Association of British Columbia Deans of Education is comprised of the deans of the education programs at nine British Columbia universities, including TWU. The significance of the association awarding its inaugural lifetime service award to a Christian educator is not lost on Van Brummelen.
“I am pleased that an association of educators in public institutions (except for TWU) openly recognizes that a Christian educator can make significant contributions to education in general,” said Van Brummelen.