By Bradley Nelson
From Professor to President
Jon L. Dybdahl Serves Walla Walla College
Jon L. Dybdahl is happy to call Walla Walla home once again. He remembers driving to Walla Walla in 1976 as a new faculty member of the School of Theology. He wondered what life would be like, how long he and his family would decide to stay. “That was 26 years ago,” says Dybdahl, “and we all live here now.”
Last year, Dybdahl accepted WWC’s invitation to become the 22nd president of the 110-year-old institution. He arrived on campus in July 2002, and an inauguration ceremony was held in the Walla Walla College Church on Nov. 18.
Dybdahl brings a unique perspective to the presidency based on years of experience in the mission field. Shortly after he completed the seminary program at Andrews University, Dybdahl received a call to mission work in Asia.
For six years, Dybdahl and his wife worked in northern Thailand, facing one of their biggest professional challenges—learning a new language and culture in order to do their jobs effectively. Just three months into their time in Thailand, Dybdahl became the pastor of a church where no one spoke English. While in Thailand, the Dybdahls started Chiangmai Academy, still the only Adventist academy in Thailand today. They later moved to Singapore, where Dybdahl was a teacher and pastor for two years.
“Living in Asia certainly changed me in many ways,” says Dybdahl. “It has affected the way I look at life, how I teach, what I teach.”
Dybdahl looks to the easy-going culture of Thailand for inspiration in dealing with potential confrontations. “Sometimes I think we do need to take action,” says Dybdahl, “but we need to do it gently, and work with people on an interpersonal level as much as possible.”
Following his eight years of living and working in Asia, Dybdahl was hired to teach in the WWC School of Theology, a role he enjoyed for the next 13 years.
Returning to the United States involved many changes, including
readjusting to Western culture. Dybdahl says he remembers that time with great
fondness. “It gave me a chance to grow and develop,” he says. “I
remember many good friends and colleagues, wonderful discussions, and feeling
that the college was very much alive.”
Former students remember Dybdahl as being personable, knowledgeable, and very spiritual and an engaging lecturer.
Karl Haffner, senior pastor of the Walla Walla College Church, remembers taking Hebrew from Dybdahl as a theology student. “I loved and admired him as a teacher,” says Haffner. “He clearly had a passion for the subject and a huge heart for students.”
Walla Walla College also remembers Dybdahl with fondness, and the college family was delighted when he accepted the call to return to the campus—this time as president.
Dybdahl admits he was initially hesitant when he received the invitation. He was comfortable in his faculty position at Andrews University, and coming to WWC as its leader and vision-caster was a bit daunting. In the end, however, after much thought and many prayers, Dybdahl and his wife, Kathy, felt convinced that this was God’s plan for them.
When Dybdahl visited the campus last spring, he was impressed by a sense of school spirit. He also observes that many of the strengths that he noticed as a faculty member—strong academics, a thriving mission program, and an emphasis on spirituality—still exist today.
Dybdahl’s sense of mission, of being sent by God, influences how he approaches the task of leading WWC. He has made it a personal priority to invite people to pray for the college, and to help strengthen the integration of spirituality and academics.
“We’re all sent to this college,” says Dybdahl. “If we forget that this is God’s business, then we become just like any other generic educational institution. He’s called us to serve and bring faith to those around us. The more we feel that sense, the more it brings purpose to everything we do.
“In the past, colleges have been a source of renewal for
the church. That’s what I want it to be. I would like Walla Walla College
to be a powerful, positive, life-changing experience for all who work and
study here.”
Although he knows that the job of college president isn’t easy, Dybdahl takes courage from Jeremiah chapter 1: “Before you were born, I called you, and I will be whatever you need. I will supply your needs. I will take care of you.”
In addition, Dybdahl draws strength from having his family close by. “It’s a lot to get used to for all of us,” he says, “but my family is very supportive and helpful.”
The Dybdahls’ three children and eight grandchildren all currently live in the Walla Walla area. Jonna Buell is a 1989 elementary education graduate. Krista Croft attended WWC from 1989 to 1991 and graduated from Andrews University in 1993 with a degree in behavioral science. Paul, a 1992 theology graduate, joined the WWC faculty as an instructor in religion in 2000. W