History Professor and Alumni, Dr. Ryan Dearinger

By: Olivia Aragon      

Ryan Dearinger, a 2002 George Fox University (GFU) alum, returned to his alma mater as an Associate Professor of History and a fellow faculty member of the Honors program this fall. 

When Dearinger first came to GFU in 2000 after transferring from Tacoma Community College, he declared as an Education major, planning to earn his MAT and become a teacher.  On the first day of class in Dr. Kerry Irish’s American Revolution/Early Republic class, those plans changed. 

Ryan Dearinger. Photo courtesy: https://www.georgefox.edu/academics/undergrad/departments/history/dearinger.html

“The way I remember it, on the first day of class he yelled, cried, and nearly broke one of those old wooden lecterns.  He was likely telling a story about George Washington.  Anyhow, he brought history to life in a memorable way,” Dearinger said. “I switched my major to history that day and have been studying it ever since.  History in particular, and the humanities more broadly, are unique for the way in which they teach us to become more fully human, and more humane.”

There have been many major changes at GFU since Dearinger attended, all of which he notes are positive. Some of the most notable and positive changes for Dearinger is “the sheer diversity of the student’s body and faculty [and] staff.  The campus is physically larger, as well, both in terms of students and space.” 

Many professors who made an impact on Dearinger still work at GFU: Kerry Irish, Caitlin Corning, Mark Weinert, and Byron Shenk. One of the professors who made the largest impact on Dearinger was Mark Hall. 

“He was in [his] first year on the faculty at GFU when I was in my final year as a student.  That shows you just how old I am!” Dearinger said. “Mark gave me the training and confidence I needed to rethink my career goals, and he encouraged me to pursue those goals.”

Dearinger earned his M.A. in history from Purdue University. In 2004, he married his wife Jessica, who he met while attending GFU. Dearinger soon earned his Ph.D. in Western history from the University of Utah. Before GFU, he taught at Eastern Oregon University for 12 years.

Dearinger decided to return to GFU because his experience here “shaped and challenged me as a human being in so many ways. Never in a million years did I think this opportunity would arise, particularly with the job market being the way it is.  But the opportunity knocked, and we made the decision to return to the west side.  It represents a homecoming for us.” 

So far, Dearinger has enjoyed his time as a professor at GFU. “I'm about two months in, and it has been a lot of fun.  It is a surreal feeling to be back here as a professor. Truly an honor,” Dearinger said. “I try to seize every day, every moment. This move to GFU marked a huge change for my family and I, and we've embraced it.”

To current students at GFU, Dearinger offers some advice: “Your four years here at GFU will come and go in the blink of an eye. Work tirelessly, think critically, and feel deeply.  Have a passion. Have an unbelievable love in your heart. Practice tolerance and humility.  Make the most of every opportunity.”