The Greg Waybright Leadership Scholars Initiative

Trinity International University has secured an initial commitment of more than $1.26 million from an anonymous donor that will fund doctoral studies—matching the level offered by other first-rate doctoral programs—for nine new students (three per year staggered over the next three years). The contribution was made in honor of the legacy of Greg Waybright (MDiv ’80), president of TIU from 1995–2007.

In TIU’s strategic plan, which was created collaboratively by representatives from the entire Trinity family, the university has committed itself to—among other things—achieving prominence in key strategic academic programs as well as becoming recognized for scholarship, research, and thought leadership that influences the church, the academy, and society.

This newly secured Greg Waybright Leadership Scholars Initiative will move this strategic goal forward in a significant way by attracting the finest students, thus enhancing TIU’s reputation as an institution committed to excellence in doctoral education. Faculty will have the opportunity to handpick the best and brightest and train them without the typical financial restraints. In short, Trinity’s influence in the church, the academy, and the world, will expand as these well-trained graduates are placed in positions of distinction. And all of this for the cause of Christ.

Amidst many strong applicants, the first three PhD candidates for the next academic year have already been secured:

Sutrisna Harjanto
PhD Educational Studies
Bandung, Indonesia
Mr. Harjanto earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Padjadjaran in Indonesia. He then completed an MDiv from Trinity Theological College in Singapore and has taken coursework at Tiranus Biblical Seminary in Indonesia. His background is in pharmacy, but he also served for many years in campus ministry organizations. This led to a change in vocational direction, as he has worked for several years with the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students in Indonesia. He has chosen to attend TIU so that he may be better equipped in his own ministry and so that he may help prepare future leaders of the church in his country.

Andrey Kravtsev
PhD Intercultural Studies
Prohladny, Russia
Mr. Kravtsev began his studies at Donetsk Christian University in Ukraine, where he earned a Bachelor of Theology. He followed that up by earning a Master of Theology at International Baptist Theological Seminary in the Czech Republic. He has taught for over ten years at the North Caucasus Bible Institute in Russia, where he has helped prepare people for ministry in his local region. There is a large Muslim population there, and serving those people has been at the core of his teaching ministry. His desire is to enroll at TIU so that he can become better equipped to teach his students to effectively reach people from different cultural backgrounds.

Oliver Hersey
PhD Theological Studies
Villa Park, Illinois
Mr. Hersey attended Calvin College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 2005. He came to TIU to pursue an MA in Archaeology at the divinity school, where he will stay to work toward his PhD. During his time in the Chicago area, he has served as an educator at a Christian K-12 institution, as well a youth pastor at a local church. His desire is to teach Old Testament at the college level after completing his studies.