Olivet appoints dean for School of Theology & Christian Ministry
Olivet Nazarene University recently announced the appointment of Mark R. Quanstrom as dean of the School of Theology and Christian Ministry, effective June 1. He is responsible for overseeing the school’s undergraduate and graduate academic programs, as well as the work of its faculty members.
A 1977 graduate of Olivet, Quanstrom is a professor of theology and philosophy at the university. He also serves as the senior pastor and preacher at College Church of the Nazarene University Avenue in Bourbonnais, Illinois.
Before joining Olivet’s faculty in 2005, Quanstrom was pastor at First Church of the Nazarene in Belleville, Illinois, for 23 years. During that time, he was also an online instructor for Nazarene Bible College; an adjunct professor for European Nazarene College, teaching in Bulgaria; director of the Illinois District School of Ministry; and served on the Illinois District Advisory Board.
“Olivet is gratified by Quanstrom’s willingness to take the helm of our School of Theology and Christian Ministry,” said John C. Bowling, university president. “His long tenure with Olivet’s faculty and in serving the worldwide Church of the Nazarene has prepared him well for his new assignment.”
Quanstrom is the author of numerous articles and two books — A Century of Holiness Theology (2004) and From Grace to Grace (2011).
From 2003 until 2010, he was president of Olivet’s Alumni Association and served on the Board of Trustees. He currently serves on the Chicago Central District Board of Ministerial Studies and ONU’s Community Engagement Committee.
Quanstrom earned his Master of Divinity degree from Nazarene Theological Seminary in 1982 and his Doctor of Philosophy degree from St. Louis University in 2000.
In 2012, he received Olivet’s Ministerial “O” Award recognizing him as an outstanding alumnus and servant of the Lord.
He and his wife, Debi (Lucas), also an Olivet graduate, are residents of Bourbonnais. They are the parents of three sons: Lukas, married to Rachel (Studebaker), who are the parents of their three grandsons, Gabriel, Reuben and Julian; Ryan, married to Emily (Benson); and Daniel, married to Kayla (Luna).