At the close of another academic year, North Central University had the privilege of honoring two longtime faculty members who are retiring. In a chapel on April 7 dedicated to celebrating the careers of Bob Brenneman and Rebecca Norberg, students, faculty colleagues, friends, family, and administrators took time to recognize the achievements and impact of the retirees.
Rebecca Norberg
Rebecca Norberg has been training singers for more than 40 years. She began a College of Fine Arts faculty member teaching at North Central since 2001, and has taught private voice lessons, Vocal Pedagogy, International Diction for Singers, Music History, and Music Appreciation.
Norberg received her Bachelor of Music degree in voice, opera, and piano from Oberlin Conservatory of Music and studied German as a Fulbright Scholar at the Goethe Institute- Brannenburg, and completed her graduate studies in Wagnerian Opera at the Hochschule für Musik in Munich, Germany.
Bob Brenneman
Bob Brenneman, Ph.D., has served at North Central University since 1996, beginning with a two-year term as Missionary in Residence, then returning as Professor of Global Studies in the College of Church Leadership. Breneman is a Middle East specialist, having served as one of the first Assemblies of God World Missions (AGWM) missionaries to the Kurdish people in Iraq, from 1981 to 1996.
Brenneman holds a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, an M.A. from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, and a B.A. from Trinity Bible College. He is a sought-after expert on Middle East culture. He is the author of “Rekindling the Fire among the Nations of Pentecost: How the peoples of the Bible became Muslims and why many are now coming to Jesus” (Independent, 2021) and “As Strong as the Mountains: A Kurdish cultural journey” (Waveland, 2007).
Celebration chapel
Jason Wenschlag, Ed.D., Vice President of Academic Affairs, convened the chapel service on April 7 by discussing vocation. “Vocation is that point in life when the work that you do is taking your full commitment, and your giftings, [and] you’re impacting people. You’re doing what God has called you to do.
“Today we are going to recognize people who have been in this sweet spot of vocation for such a long time and contributed so much to the people in this university. We are thrilled to honor Dr. Brenneman and Rebecca Norberg today.”
Below are highlights of the sentiments shared about and by the retirees at the chapel service. The full service is also available to view online.
Messages for Professor Norberg
Joshua Tompkins, D.M.A., Associate Professor: “Rebecca is the queen of vocal technique. One of her passions is to help singers find their voice and to sing properly, [so] as not to hurt themselves, for a lifetime of singing. That is a very special gift.
Aside from being a world-class teacher, you’ve treated every one of your students with love, respect, compassion. That is something I’m going to carry with me for the rest of my life … you have taught me how to love and how to love students well.”
Gabriella (Evans-Jones ’12) Velez, Adjunct Vocal Instructor: “I’ve had the honor of being Rebecca’s voice student over a decade ago, 2009–2012, and in the last few years, I’ve had the privilege to work alongside her as a voice teacher myself. I have to give her so much credit for my own journey.”
Briana Izzo ’07: “We all have challenges in life, but you have shown me what it means to be a thriver and not just a survivor. You have shown me that you live your life by faith and not fear.
“What a legacy you have created! Thank you for being obedient, because I know your heart is always wanting the best for your students.”
Ellington Porter, M.A., Associate Professor: “You represent the Proverbs 31 woman to me. Verse 29 says ‘many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel with them all.’ [Verse] 30 says ‘favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman that fears the Lord shall be praised. Give her the fruit of her hands and let her own works praise her in the gates.’ I just want to let you know, we are the works. We’re praising you in the gates and we want to thank you for your tireless, countless, numerous days and years of love that you have invested into us.”
Joanne Kersten, M.A., former Professor: “Rebecca, we were better people for having you in our lives. Thank you for taking the high road. Thank you for being prepared for every class—before the class started, you would her her music running; her technology was ready. The atmosphere of excellence was set before the class started. Thank you for being a loving, caring, teacher and colleague.”
Vinnie Zarletti, D.W.S., Dean of the College of Fine Arts: “I know that you have so long identified yourself as a vocalist. And yet, what has come through today is, I don’t know that your identity has ever really been wrapped up in your singing. It’s always been wrapped up in your love, and that cannot be taken from you.”
Messages for Professor Brenneman
Allen Tennison, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Church Leadership: “Dr. Brenneman served as a missionary living four years among the Kurds in Northern Iraq, where he was actually wanted by Saddam Hussein, who for a time had a ten-thousand-dollar bounty on Bob’s head. And even though the cost of living in the area was about $500 a month, no one ever took him up on the offer because of how respected and loved Bob was. They say you know you’re successful in missions if Satan knows your name. And we know that Saddam Hussein knew Bob’s name.
“There are three things I want to highlight about Dr. Brenneman: number one, Bob loves the displaced. He has worked for years with refugees and in refugee camps with those who are in need. Number two, Bob loves Muslims. He has an infectious love for the Muslim world that he knows how to pass on to his students. And number three, Bob loves Jesus. And it’s because he loves Jesus that those other loves are possible. He has inspired me, and missionaries around the world, through his love.”
Kara, alumna (last name withheld to protect identity on the field): “Thank you for investing in me as a student at North Central. I’m thinking about when you took our group overseas to do our fieldwork and really showed us by example how to build authentic connections and share the good news in an organic way with the people that we are sort rounded by also just for your approach in making your ceiling, our floor and communicating to us what the vision has been for the region that you and I are both interested in.”
Phillip Fossel, current student: “As a global studies professor, and as a missionary abroad, you have touched and changed the lives of so many people and are so humble about it. And I think so many people appreciate you for that. I remember distinctly when I was going through something with my family, you pulling me aside in the hallway to ask me how I was doing with that. You didn’t ask me about classwork. You didn’t ask me how my grades were. You asked me about my family about something that was important to me, and I appreciate that a lot.”
Michael Taylor ’13, alumnus: “Here I am in Cairo, Egypt, serving with my family and owing in large part to your service and. Your teaching and your inspiration in my life.”
Jayden Crim, current student: Thank you for all the knowledge and wisdom that you passed down to us in class, and for all the many jokes that went along with your lessons. Most of all, thank you for sharing your passion for serving others and for demonstrating what it looks like to love like Christ, day in and day out. You’re an inspiration to us all.”
Nick Robertson, Ph.D., Director of the Antioch Initiative: “Disciples all around the world, time and time again, people share with me how Bob has impacted therm. And we praise God for that legacy. Your legacy goes on and on all around the world and we’re so grateful for that. As you go into retirement, you can continue to touch people. Thank you for your life and for your dedication.
Nan Muhovich, Ph.D., Professor: “Bob is known [for many things] and for just being very entertaining. Bob is a lot of fun, which is why I’m really going to miss him. He’s a pastor, he’s a prayer warrior, and he knows how to laugh. Thank you, Bob, for serving North Central for 25 years as a full professor … as a faculty, mentor, and as a friend.”
Blessing and sendoff
President Scott Hagan, Ph.D., closed the chapel service with a brief reflection and prayer.
“There’s no way that this little gathering captures your life,” Hagan said. “Now you’re not going to eternity yet, but professionally, this is a moment that is very real. From the bottom of our hearts and on behalf of all the presidents, I want to tell you that we love you and are so deeply appreciative of the work, the investment, the multiplication of your lives through this generation. And it’s well done now, good and faithful servants in the truest sense. We honor you and love you both.”
Larry Bach of the College of Fine Arts is also retiring this year. He was celebrated earlier in April, commemorating a 41-year career.
