Whitewater Times

Former Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. John Brock, recently returned to campus for the graduation of his two grandchildren. The role of Vice President of Academic Affairs is crucial for achieving a university's academic goals, anticipating developments in higher education, and managing various administrative tasks such as accreditation and budget allocation.

Dr. Matt Davis commented on the significant contributions made by past leaders at Maranatha: “In the past forty years, 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.”

Dr. Brock's career includes serving as a chaplain assistant in South Vietnam with the US Army and working as a principal before joining Maranatha in 1984. During his tenure, he initiated several academic programs and led efforts to achieve regional accreditation from The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools in 1993. He noted that “Achieving regional accreditation increased Maranatha’s opportunity to thrive."

The Watertown Daily Times reported in 2001 about Maranatha's participation in the Academic Quality Improvement Project, which aimed to align accreditation with continuous quality improvement.

Dr. Will Licht succeeded Dr. Brock in 2014 after serving as a professor and Dean of the School of Education at MBU. Under his leadership, new programs were introduced including a Doctor of Ministry degree and initiatives like dual enrollment and an innovative laboratory classroom for early childhood education.

Upon Dr. Licht's retirement in 2024, Dr. Thomas Graham took over as VP of Academic Affairs. His background includes advanced degrees in theology and education, making him well-suited for this role. Dr. Davis remarked on his qualifications: “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.”

In 2024, Maranatha's accreditation was reaffirmed for another ten years by the Higher Learning Commission as it continues its pursuit of academic excellence.