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It's all in the family
Kenneth and Janice Randolph reflect on retired life -- by Kelly Dix
Faulkner University pillars Dr. and Mrs. Kenneth Randolph retired last fall, leaving a legacy befitting Christian education. Though it is a quieter life, the beloved professor and dean of the College of Biblical Studies and his wife, Janice, admit there is no less work. Between tending their 45-acre farm and spending time with their grandchildren, the two have stayed quite busy. But at the end of the day, all is peaceful as they repose on their breezy front porch hammocks.
Both Dr. Randolph and his wife are deeply ingrained in the history of Faulkner University. Mrs. Randolph is the daughter of Dr. Leonard Johnson, Faulkner University co-founder, and has witnessed the University's evolution from Montgomery Bible College to its present day status. Dr. Randolph studied Bible under both Dr. Rex Turner, co-founder, and his father-in-law, Johnson. The couple met and began dating during their time at Alabama Christian College.
After marrying and receiving their bachelor degrees from Harding University, Dr. Randolph went on to earn his master's from Harding Graduate School of Religion and his doctorate from Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Ga. After both taught in various public and private schools around Alabama, they finally returned to Faulkner at the invitation of Mrs. Randolph's father. It was an easy move for the two. "Alabama Christian felt like home to me," says Mrs. Randolph.
With a 32-year career at Faulkner, Randolph has garnered his share of accolades for his teaching. He has, on more than one occasion, been selected Outstanding Teacher by both faculty and students. President Billy Hilyer says of his friend, "His quiet, understanding manner was always an encouragement to students. Ken is and has been a wonderful mentor to our students, always conducting himself in a way that not only brings credit to Faulkner, but, more importantly, points people to Christ."
"We miss having him around," says Dr. Carl Cheatham, associate dean of the V.P. Black College of Biblical Studies. Cheatham says former students still request Randolph's study guides on various books of the Bible as curriculum for their own Bible classes. "[Randolph] is our direct tie to the University's founders and has always reminded us of the principles upon which our school was founded," says Cheatham. With a strong desire to influence, encourage and help young men and women become leaders in the church and their homes, Randolph has always been a strong advocate for the student who wants an education, admonishing that cost should never be an obstacle.
"Ken believes in the value of Christian education," says Hilyer. "He believes in its potential for good in the lives of men and women and works every day to help bring that to reality in the lives of his students."
Mrs. Randolph will be missed, as well, having served Faulkner in various capacities over many years out of devotion to the University her father founded. While she preferred teaching to secretarial work, her favorite position while at Faulkner was working beside her husband as the secretary of the Bible department when he was dean, from 1994-1997. "I really got to know the students," she says. Her last eight years were spent in Student Services, working with tutoring and Project Key, a service for students with disabilities.
Like her husband, Mrs. Randolph is also committed to encouraging young men and women in their fields and to ensuring that those who want an education are able to get one. She oversees the awarding of the Johnson Family Scholarship, established by her father, which goes to a freshman student as encouragement to continue his or her education.
Mrs. Randolph lightheartedly described their retired life as "Old McDonald on the farm." They fill their days gardening, housekeeping, woodworking, attending to their cows and more gardening. Dr. Randolph continues his teaching as a preacher for the Georgia Road Church of Christ in Wetumpka, Ala., and as a writer for the Alabama Restoration Journal. For now, the farthest they travel is to Nashville, Tenn., to see their new granddaughter and to North Alabama to attend to Mrs. Randolph's 98-year-old mother, Mrs. Leonard Johnson, the last surviving member of the original University founders and their spouses. Though they are hoping for more extended vacations in the future, in the meantime, they'll be content to swing in the comfort of their peaceful porch.
Both Dr. Randolph and his wife are deeply ingrained in the history of Faulkner University. Mrs. Randolph is the daughter of Dr. Leonard Johnson, Faulkner University co-founder, and has witnessed the University's evolution from Montgomery Bible College to its present day status. Dr. Randolph studied Bible under both Dr. Rex Turner, co-founder, and his father-in-law, Johnson. The couple met and began dating during their time at Alabama Christian College.
After marrying and receiving their bachelor degrees from Harding University, Dr. Randolph went on to earn his master's from Harding Graduate School of Religion and his doctorate from Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Ga. After both taught in various public and private schools around Alabama, they finally returned to Faulkner at the invitation of Mrs. Randolph's father. It was an easy move for the two. "Alabama Christian felt like home to me," says Mrs. Randolph.
With a 32-year career at Faulkner, Randolph has garnered his share of accolades for his teaching. He has, on more than one occasion, been selected Outstanding Teacher by both faculty and students. President Billy Hilyer says of his friend, "His quiet, understanding manner was always an encouragement to students. Ken is and has been a wonderful mentor to our students, always conducting himself in a way that not only brings credit to Faulkner, but, more importantly, points people to Christ."
"We miss having him around," says Dr. Carl Cheatham, associate dean of the V.P. Black College of Biblical Studies. Cheatham says former students still request Randolph's study guides on various books of the Bible as curriculum for their own Bible classes. "[Randolph] is our direct tie to the University's founders and has always reminded us of the principles upon which our school was founded," says Cheatham. With a strong desire to influence, encourage and help young men and women become leaders in the church and their homes, Randolph has always been a strong advocate for the student who wants an education, admonishing that cost should never be an obstacle.
"Ken believes in the value of Christian education," says Hilyer. "He believes in its potential for good in the lives of men and women and works every day to help bring that to reality in the lives of his students."
Mrs. Randolph will be missed, as well, having served Faulkner in various capacities over many years out of devotion to the University her father founded. While she preferred teaching to secretarial work, her favorite position while at Faulkner was working beside her husband as the secretary of the Bible department when he was dean, from 1994-1997. "I really got to know the students," she says. Her last eight years were spent in Student Services, working with tutoring and Project Key, a service for students with disabilities.
Like her husband, Mrs. Randolph is also committed to encouraging young men and women in their fields and to ensuring that those who want an education are able to get one. She oversees the awarding of the Johnson Family Scholarship, established by her father, which goes to a freshman student as encouragement to continue his or her education.
Mrs. Randolph lightheartedly described their retired life as "Old McDonald on the farm." They fill their days gardening, housekeeping, woodworking, attending to their cows and more gardening. Dr. Randolph continues his teaching as a preacher for the Georgia Road Church of Christ in Wetumpka, Ala., and as a writer for the Alabama Restoration Journal. For now, the farthest they travel is to Nashville, Tenn., to see their new granddaughter and to North Alabama to attend to Mrs. Randolph's 98-year-old mother, Mrs. Leonard Johnson, the last surviving member of the original University founders and their spouses. Though they are hoping for more extended vacations in the future, in the meantime, they'll be content to swing in the comfort of their peaceful porch.
