Weimar College and Academy are welcoming new leadership and faculty for the upcoming school year. Dr. Randall Siebold will lead the college as Vice President of Education. He replaces the interim college dean, Don Mackintosh, who will continue to lead AFCOE. The college also has two new faculty members, Dr. George Jackson, head of the science department, and Dr. Kevin Grams, professor of history and education. Weimar Academy welcomes Brenda Blackburn as principal. Her leadership at the Academy will allow current principal, Darren Greenfield, to focus on developing the work education program for Weimar College and Academy.
Dr. Randall Siebold, Vice President of Education
Dr. Randall Siebold, the vice president of education at Weimar Center, will lead the development of Weimar College as courses become available in pastoral ministries, pre-med, pre-med-tech, pre-nursing, and health ministries.
After receiving undergraduate degrees in industrial education and mechanical engineering technology Dr. Siebold received his masters in art and his PhD in instructional systems technology from Indiana University.
Before coming to Weimar, Dr. Siebold has previously been a principal at Broadview Academy and worked in the curriculum and instruction department at Andrews University, where he was instrumental in initiating their distance learning program. He has also taught in college undergraduate and graduate levels. He has also consulted internationally in curriculum development, online course design, and educational support and training.
He has a deep passion for building up schools for the distinct purpose of Adventist education—helping young people come to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. He and his wife, Brenda, have five children ranging in age from 6 to 24 years. They will be arriving on campus early this summer.
Dr. George Jackson, Science Department Head
Dr. George Jackson has joined Weimar College as the head of the science department. As an undergraduate, Dr. Jackson attended Avondale College, and then he received his PhD in Marine Biology at James Cook University in Queensland, Australia. He also completed post-doctoral work at three universities before joining the faculty at the University of Tasmania.
His professional research career has taken him to tropical and temperate Australia, Thailand, Falkland Islands, Gulf of Mexico, and California, and he has published more than 80 papers in the field, mostly in international journals. Before Weimar, he was a senior scientist for the Pacific Ocean Shelf Tracking (POST) project, which is part of the decade long Census of Marine Life.
Dr. Jackson is enthusiastic about the opportunities at Weimar for training committed young Christians to enter various health ministries for the Lord, and one of his first priorities will be developing a pre-med program. He and his wife Christine have three children, Talisa, 17; Adam, 15; and Levi, 9; who are all excited to be in the states!
Dr. Kevin Grams, Professor of Education and History
Dr. Kevin Grams joins the Weimar Center as professor of education and history. He already has a deep connection with the Weimar campus as a graduate from the Weimar elementary school and as a long-time resident, teacher, and alumnus of Weimar College. He has also taught history and Bible courses at Weimar Academy, while developing an outdoor education program which he codirected.
He's served the church internationally as a youth pastor in Western Australia.
Grams received his undergraduate degree in pastoral ministry from Weimar College. He also has his masters in history from Andrews University. For his PhD dissertation, Grams explored Adventist educational philosophy as part of a lifelong passion for educating an army of young, educated Christian leaders.
Brenda Blackburn, Academy Principal
Brenda Blackburn has accepted the position of Weimar Academy principal. She has 33 years experience in the North Carolina public school system at the elementary and middle school level; 14 of those years as an assistant priniple. Most recently, she worked at Hartland Institute as the human resources director.
Mrs. Blackburn became a Seventh-day Adventist just over 17 years ago. Although eligible for the position of principal, it would be difficult for her to accept such a position knowing she would be expected to attend Saturday events. She is thrilled to put her God-given talents to full use at a Christian school fully dedicated to God’s Word and raising impressionable students in His light.