Bethel’s Dr. Johnson, Dr. Lancaster announce retirement

MCKENZIE, Tenn. — Retirements have been announced for two longtime faculty members at Bethel University.

Courtesy: Bethel University

A news release states during the May 4 faculty meeting, Dr. Roger Johnson and Dr. David Lancaster confirmed their plans to retire.

Dr. Johnson has been employed as a faculty member in physics and computer science since 1980. The release states Johnson served the university in many ways over the years, including implementing a Title III grant to develop Bethel’s computer science program and establishing the first institutional research office at Bethel. Johnson has also served on every faculty committee at the University, served as faculty representative to the Board of Trustees, and served as a faculty moderator numerous times. Additionally, Johnson has been the program coordinator for physics and mathematics, and has been active in ecumenical advocacy.

Dr. Lancaster, who has served as a pastor for multiple churches, has been employed as a faculty member since 2004. Lancaster has served on numerous faculty committees during his time with Bethel, and has been moderator of the faculty. The release states he was awarded Bethel University Teacher of the Year in 2009, and has been named to the Mid-South All-Conference Faculty Team. Lancaster was also a recipient of the Roy and Mary Shelton Teaching Excellence and Campus Leadership Award.

At the University’s commencement ceremony on May 6, Johnson and Lancaster were awarded faculty emeritus status by the Bethel University Board of Trustees.

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