The evening was as much a reunion as it was an exhibition. Alumni admired one another’s work and caught up on life since graduation. The time also offered alumni a space to reflect on what they learned during their time at Cairn.��

Since its founding, DoVA aimed to create a community centered on a shared faith and love of art. Department outings like Art Night send students off campus to share a meal and fellowship, while museum trips to nearby cities allow students to explore new artists and styles. Student galleries and the Student Visual Arts Society, a student-led art club, give students the opportunity to showcase their work and learn from one another. That sense of belonging and community continues across class years. This semester, during the first week of classes, current seniors visited a freshman art class to introduce themselves and invite the new students into the department’s community.

The evening highlighted the many paths alumni have taken since graduating. Exhibitors are now working as full-time artists, graphic designers, art teachers, children’s book authors, art therapists, and ministry students. Some are building businesses of their own, while others are pursuing graduate degrees.

Faculty member Matt Stemler, now in his 29th year of teaching visual arts from a biblical perspective, helped shape DoVA in its first decade. Faculty members Cayla Belser and Andrea Fiori were crucial in developing the department into what it is today. Stemler shared, “Pausing to celebrate wasn’t about putting a mark at the end of a measured time, but about calibrating for the next generation of artists to come.”

DoVA’s next decade will look much like its first: training artists to use their gifts in service to Christ and others.

Bilotta brings more than 30 years of experience in Christian higher education, including extensive work in academic leadership, program development, faculty development, and digital media communications. Most recently, he served as Dean of Academic Planning and Operations and Chair of the Department of Digital Media Communications at the University of Valley Forge, where he helped grow the department from a single academic program into five undergraduate majors and one graduate program. His appointment also strengthens Cairn’s ability to serve students transferring to the University following the University of Valley Forge’s transition. Bilotta brings firsthand knowledge of Valley Forge’s academic programs, curriculum, and students, providing an important point of continuity for students who choose to continue their education at Cairn.

“Leone brings an unusual combination of academic leadership, program-building experience, and professional expertise in digital media,” said Dr. Adam J. Porcella, Senior Vice President and Provost of Ģ����Ƶ. “We are particularly grateful for the opportunity to welcome him to Cairn as we seek to serve students coming to us from Valley Forge. His familiarity with their programs and their students will help make that transition as smooth as possible, while his experience will strengthen our Digital Media and Communication offerings for all of our students.”

During his tenure at Valley Forge, Bilotta led university-wide strategic planning, faculty governance, and academic operations while developing new academic programs and strategic industry partnerships. He also played a leadership role in the institution’s integration of artificial intelligence into curriculum and institutional practice.

A longtime practitioner in music and media production, Bilotta has more than 15 years of experience leading worship and touring with music groups. He has served as executive producer for 17 albums and consults nationally on church audio and production systems. His professional background brings practical, industry-informed experience into the classroom and complements Cairn’s emphasis on preparing students for vocational service. Bilotta earned a Master of Music in Music Education with a concentration in Technology from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Westfield State University. Bilotta’s appointment reflects Ģ����Ƶ’s continued investment in the Digital Media and Communication program and its commitment to providing students with academically rigorous, professionally relevant education within a distinctly Christian context.

The newly formed School of Professional Studies brings together a broad collection of academic programs and departments, including the departments of Business and Technology, Teacher Education, Music, and Graduate Counseling. The EdD and Criminal Justice programs are also housed in this school. Dr. Stephen Dill is serving as the interim dean.

The School of Liberal Arts & Sciences maintains its name in this transition but (in transferring a few programs to the School of Professional Studies) has a renewed focus on the interdisciplinary education found in the liberal arts. Dr. Victoria Aquilone has been appointed as dean ahead of the Fall 2026 semester. The previous dean, Dr. Aneesh Khushman, is serving as the chair of natural sciences.

The School of Bible & Theology (previously the School of Divinity) is also home to Cairn Theological Seminary. The seminary was not introduced in order to offer new programs, as Ģ����Ƶ has offered graduate-level Bible education since 1992. This was instead a decision that reiterates and clearly communicates Ģ����Ƶ’s longstanding commitment to biblical and theological education to prospective students and churches. The Master of Divinity, Master of Arts (Religion), and Master of Arts (Executive Ministry Leadership) are offered through the Seminary. A more robust look at Cairn Theological Seminary will be available in the Fall 2026 issue of , to be released in late October.

Ahead of the 2025–2026 academic year, the faculty members of Ģ����Ƶ gathered to participate in the annual faculty workshop. This year, the focus of discussion was on assessment in the age of AI.

The decision to address this topic during the annual workshop follows the creation of the University Statement on AI, which was added to the Ģ����Ƶ Student Handbook in 2024. With the University’s theological and pedagogical understanding of generative AI and its limits in view, the faculty directed its focus to how AI technology prompts changes in student assessment inside and outside the classroom.

The two-day workshop began with a devotional by Dr. Bryan Murawski, associate professor in the School of Divinity. This devotional was followed by two sessions, the first of which was theological considerations of new technologies hosted by Dr. Keith Plummer, dean of the School of Divinity. He presented data showing that the current generation is increasingly relying on generative AI for growing number of tasks, even as a form of companionship. 

The second session was led by Professor Charlotte Gleason, who is the chair of the humanities department in the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She titled her presentation, “Thinking Differently: Practical Pedagogy in the Age of AI.” She presented better methods for student assessment, including multi-step project submissions, feedback loops from peers and the professor, and student self-reflection on the learning process—all of which deepen student learning in ways that are less tempting and more difficult to use AI for shortcuts. This presentation was followed by a seminar, which gave faculty the opportunity to workshop an assessment to deepen student learning and become more AI-resistant. 

On the second day of the workshop, Provost Adam Porcella discussed the difference between transactional and transformative learning in his presentation, titled “Discipleship in the Era of AI.” As a fitting conclusion to the workshop, the faculty joined the staff for the Fall 2025 Prayer Service—an intentional employee gathering of Scripture reading, prayer, and singing that has been held before the start of each semester since 2005. 

“As emerging AI technologies continue to reshape the world of education, we are intentional in how we engage them,” said Dr. Adam J. Porcella, senior vice president and provost. “We will leverage their benefits where appropriate, but never at the expense of the relational, formational, and distinctly human dimensions of teaching and learning. Our priority is to ensure that technology serves the mission of Christian higher education, not the other way around. Ģ����Ƶ is committed to being a place where humans teach humans.”

Affordable Degree Guide provides tuition comparisons, financial aid insights, and curated degree rankings to help students find cost-effective, credible educational pathways. Cairn’s top ranking in the state of PA is a testament to our commitment to affordability. 

“Cairn has a mission to educate students to serve Christ in the church, society, and the world, and making that education affordable is one of our chief commitments as an institution,” said Tom Sherf, vice president of marketing and enrollment. “To know that we are a top-ranking school as well as leading the charge of affordable Christian online education in Pennsylvania is very encouraging. We will continue to pursue new ways to make our distinctly biblical education affordable without sacrificing the quality of our academics or compromising on our mission.”

To learn more about Cairn’s affordable and biblical online education, visit cairn.edu/online. You can also . 

From March 1 through March 29, the Connie A. Eastburn Gallery featured artist Dr. Michelle Choy Sun. Dr. Sun earned her Bachelor of Arts from University of Hong Kong. She then earned her Master of Education, Master of Arts, and her Doctor of Education from Columbia University. She has a myriad of accomplishments, including taking part in the Fukuoka International Seminar, the Freeman Foundation Scholarship, as well as being a participant of the Masterpieces Project at the Philadelphia Museum of Art from 2013–2014.��

Her main exhibition, Covid Chronicle: Cells, Chips, and Light features stunning two-dimensional and three- dimensional works of art that examined the implications of the Covid crisis. The impacts of such an event are still being discovered and discussed today, and Dr. Sun’s art hopes to explore those discussions. Inspiration for her artwork comes from experiences and themes that ask, “What is our deepest reflection going through isolation, depression and suffering, sacrifice, resilience and hope? Incidentally, these are the four sub-themes of Covid Chronicle.” As her audience investigates each piece, Dr. Sun hopes to set in motion thoughtful and biblical reflections, asking the individual to respond to the question: “As this virus is likely to become part of our life, what buoyant intellectual and spiritual strengths can we build to prepare for future pandemics?” While the pandemic may be over, serious consideration to Dr. Sun’s questions about it help her audience think deeply and critically, informing us on how to respond to the next crisis.

Covid Chronicle: Cells, Chips, and Light and several of Dr. Sun’s other art exhibits will be on display until March 29, 2024.

Ģ����Ƶ is excited to bring Dr. Liesl Lawrence on as the newest faculty member in the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Dr. Lawrence will serve as a full-time biology professor. She has earned her BS in Biological Science from The Master’s University as well as her PhD in integrated Biomedical Science from the University of Texas Health Science Center. Her accolades include the Rennels Memorial Award for Excellence in Graduate Studies as well as the George Franklin Howe Award. Her ability to integrate biology with a robust, articulate, and thorough inclusion of a biblical worldview will be a valuable asset to the program. 

Dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Dr. Aneesh Khushman, says of the onboarding of Dr. Lawrence: 

“Dr. Lawrence is a scholar in her field. But more than that, she demonstrates the critical ability to express and teach biology from a biblical worldview. For Cairn, it’s a win-win. I look forward to her coming to Cairn and helping us continue to grow an already growing program.”

You can learn more about Dr. Lawrence .

Welcome, Dr. Lawrence!

While Yisheng’s main area of interest was pre-med, his love for chemistry blossomed as he studied under his numerous science professors. His interest in organic chemistry and biochemistry has given him the ultimate desire to pursue doctoral-level research in chemistry instead of biology, with a goal to “synthesize novel molecules or therapeutic agents that inhibit genetic disease or cure injury at a molecular level, construct polymers for new materials to mitigate certain environmental issues, or design new mechanisms that improve synthetic efficiency.” 

Yisheng cites the support of his professors as role models and well-suited instructors for bringing him to this major milestone: “Throughout my four years at Cairn, I gained numerous insights from how my professors approached biology and chemistry with a biblical worldview. Dr. Bell showed me the strongest supportive evidence for the design argument; Dr. Eshelman introduced his theology of the human body; Professor Jensen refreshed my understanding of what science is and its relationship with Christian discipleship; and Dr. Khushman shared various biblical references in relevance to medicine. All these meaningful discussions prepared me to walk a different path in the field of science.”

Designed for students who excel in written and visual communication, Cairn’s new Digital Media and Communication (BA) offers you a program with clear career objectives, opportunities, and outcomes. Your passions and interests will see growth inside and outside the classroom. Cairn seeks to enrich your academic experience through various internships, allowing you to acquire the professional tools you’ll need for your future career.

But these resources and experiences aren’t all Cairn has to offer to you in this program. When you come to earn your degree in Digital Media and Communication, you are studying at a holistically Christian university. Our dedication to serving Christ and studying from a biblical perspective will not happen only in your Bible classes or chapels, but will be incorporated into your whole curriculum. While we want to help prepare you for a career, we also want to prepare you to be salt and light in the fields you will serve. 

“Our current cultural context requires us to navigate the dynamic waters of the digital world. I want Ģ����Ƶ to be at the forefront of preparing Christian communicators and providing them with the hard and soft skills they need to stay afloat.”

—Charlotte Gleason, Chair of the Humanities Department

Learn more about our digital marketing program at Cairn and see for yourself what kind of educational experience we offer. 

Already know this program is right for you? Apply today at cairn.edu/apply.