Passing the Torch, Progressing on Mission

Former Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. John Brock is back on campus briefly for the graduation of two grandchildren. As a key administrator, the Vice President of Academic Affairs is responsible for achievement of the university’s academic goals and objectives, anticipating developments in higher education, identifying threats and opportunities, evaluating instructional programs, overseeing faculty needs, managing accreditation and compliance, and supervising budget and resource allocation. Such a position requires vision, experience, discretion, tact, and grace.

“In the past forty years,” Dr. Matt Davis attests, “the position … at Maranatha has been filled by two titans of Christian education: Dr. John Brock … and Dr. Will Licht … These men built, refined, and marshaled the commitment to academic excellence and fidelity to God’s Word.”[1]

Dr. Brock served as a chaplain assistant in South Vietnam in the US Army and as a principal in two Christian schools before coming to Maranatha. In 1984, he became VP of Academic Affairs and began galvanizing our academic enrichment. The Department of Humanities replaced the Department of General Education. With emergence of the Department of Business, a business major superseded the offered minor. MBU dedicated a new library building with an expanded collection. It was the dawn of new master’s, Piano Pedagogy, and String Pedagogy programs, followed by a full Nursing Program, offered completely in-house. Online and Distance Learning launched, and the Master of Divinity program was reinstated in the new Maranatha Baptist Seminary.

By far, the greatest achievement during Dr. Brock’s tenure was accreditation. It was an arduous venture, initially opposed by many Maranatha supporters, requiring thorough investigation and patient education. After a final herculean thrust to meet deadlines, it was granted in 1993 by The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (now The Higher Learning Commission) and became pivotal to Maranatha’s academic credibility and advancement. Dr. Brock affirms, “Achieving regional accreditation increased Maranatha’s opportunity to thrive. Through the years, accreditation has provided the structure needed for institutional improvement.”[2] The quest continues with accreditation of individual programs.

The Watertown Daily Times reported in 2001 that Maranatha had been approved to participate in the Academic Quality Improvement Project of the Higher Learning Commission “designed to align accreditation with Maranatha’s program of continuous quality improvement in order to meet the rapidly shifting needs of educational institutions in the 21^st century … to hold itself accountable for re-engineering its processes and operations to improve the results and activities for itself and for its students.”[3]

Meanwhile, Dr. Will Licht had joined MBU as history and education professor, in due course becoming Dean of the School of Education. With necessary teaching and administrative experience and advanced degrees, he was Dr. Brock’s chosen successor in 2014. Momentum in the academic program continued with additions of a Doctor of Ministry in Preaching and Leading and a Master of Organizational Leadership degrees. Then came Dual enrollment, Advance to College, new certificate programs, as well as the bachelor’s-to master’s option. Maranatha Baptist Bible Institute opened. Early childhood Education created an innovative laboratory classroom, and the Nursing Program attained a 100% NCLEX pass rate. Notably during his tenure, Dr. Licht quietly faced a personal confrontation with cancer and guided throughout COVID’s upheaval.

When Dr. Licht retired in 2024, agreeing later to become the new Dean of Graduate Studies, Dr. Thomas Graham moved into the VP of Academic Affairs position. His advanced degrees in theology and education and experience as adjunct faculty especially suited him for the office. Dr. Davis remarks, “His track record of faithful ministry … his careful study of the Word, and his commitment to excellence in Christian education make him the perfect man to lead Maranatha’s faculty …”[4]

In 2024 the Higher Learning Commission reaffirmed our accreditation for another ten years. Maranatha resolutely pursues academic excellence that we might thrust forth graduate leaders for ministry in the local church and the world “to the praise of His glory.” We salute these three men who have helped advance the cause.

[1] https://www.mbu.edu/blog/mbu-news/maranatha-appoints-graham-vice-president-for-academic-affairs, accessed 4/7/2025.

[2] — https://www.mbu.edu/blog/mbu-news/the-hand-of-providence-part-2, accessed 4/3/2025.

[3] https://www.watertownhistory.org/articles/MaranathaCollege.htm, accessed 4/7/2025.

[4] Op. cit., maranatha-appoints-graham.