Every year, University Provost Dr. Tom Middendorf gives an introduction describing the Teaching Excellence Award winner before the recipient’s name is announced. It’s always a bit of a mystery.
At this year’s ceremony in early March, that brief intro included a telling clue. “On at least one occasion,” he said, “this recipient has broken into ‘Soul Man’ by the Blues Brothers during a class session.”
“Oh no,” thought Dr. Craig Bishop from his seat in the audience.
Bishop began to put the pieces together in his mind, using detective skills from his many years in law enforcement. His wife Joan, another professor at Trevecca, had told him to get a haircut earlier in the week.
“That shouldn’t have been alarming, but usually I’m the one that brings it up when I need a haircut. So I should’ve known something was coming,” Bishop said with a smile.
It’s actually not the first time Bishop has won a Teaching Excellence Award. While at one of Trevecca’s sister Nazarene institutions in 2016, Bishop was awarded a similar honor.
“It doesn’t feel like I’m put on a pedestal, it feels like I’m being patted on the back and encouraged to keep going,” he said.
Bishop’s experience includes stints as a probation officer, a police officer and a director of public safety. He then led the criminal justice program at another university before joining the faculty at Trevecca in 2020, where he now serves as the director of the online and traditional undergraduate criminal justice program.
“I find such joy in seeing how the Lord has used me vocationally as well as volunteering in youth ministry,” he said.
As the leader of the criminal justice program, Bishop acknowledges the challenge of leading that department in today’s society.
“My heart breaks for police officers who are still trying to properly minister to their communities,” he said. “Christ’s teaching is that we are to love our neighbors. We are to bring reconciliation and healing. So I feel like I'm teaching the opposite in my classroom than what’s being declared outside the classroom.”
His teaching is rooted in the mission statement of the criminal justice program.
“The vision for our program is to prepare that next generation to serve and to lead, with Christ being the perfect example of that,” he said.
That approach to teaching reflects the broader mission of Trevecca.
“I truly respect Trevecca and the focus on service and leadership. I feel affirmed by this community that I'm worthy to serve them and to lead.”