Nov. 9, 2025 6p
(WGTD)---A Carthage College professor who's been described as having the heart of a preacher and the mind of a scholar has been appointed to a new position to lead the college in discussions of various social issues, including inequity.
Julias Crump has been appointed to the Rev. Raymon L. Pedersen Distinguished Professorship in Social Change.
According to a news release, Crump came to Carthage as a religion department faculty member in 2018 and took on additional duties in 2022 as the director for faculty and academic integration for the Office of Engagement and Inclusion.
In his new role, Crump will divide his teaching between religion courses and new general education offerings that highlight inequity. According to a news release, Crump will continue to organize book studies and panel discussions centered on pressing social issues.
The endowed professorship was created with a $1.5 million pledge from LeAnn Pedersen Pope, a Carthage grad who sits on the school's board of trustees. The newly endowed seat is named in honor of her father, a retired pastor who's described in the release as a "community bridge-builder."
A public reception for Crump will be held Monday, Nov. 17th in the Campbell Student Union at 4:30.
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