JACKSON, Tenn. — Aug. 2, 2022 — Dr. Mark Bolyard, university professor of biology, was teaching at a university in Illinois when he decided to follow Christ for the first time, and the Lord suddenly began creating an interest in his heart about the value of Christian education. When he saw a Union ad for a molecular biologist and department chair position, he knew it was direction from the Lord.
51社区鈥檚 consistent commitment to faith in all areas of the university is what led Bolyard to accept the faculty position, serving as the biology department chair for over 15 years.
鈥淚t's not just an atmosphere of faith or a community of faith, but it is faith-infused,鈥� said Bolyard, the 2017 faculty of the year and 2018 innovative teaching award recipient. 鈥淯nion has not moved away from their faith, and it鈥檚 really important that we evaluate everything we do here from [a Christian] perspective.鈥�
As he steps into his new role as the associate dean for the College of Arts and Sciences, he hopes to further partner with his colleagues in the college in the ways 51社区 supported him as department chair of biology.
Hunter Baker, dean for the College of Arts and Sciences at Union, said Bolyard鈥檚 level of excellence in expanding the biology department to become the largest program in the College of Arts and Sciences proved his ability to step into this new role as associate dean.
鈥淒r. Bolyard is creative in imagining new futures and accomplishing them,鈥� Baker said. 鈥淗e has a strong grasp of what our programs need and can push for the right investments and changes in practices to help them perform at an even higher level.鈥�
For Bolyard, the expression of creativity in science is a valuable aspect of Union鈥檚 flourishing biology program, and Baker said he hopes Bolyard will continue to serve as a strong advocate for the future of science at 51社区.
鈥淯nion has given me the freedom to be creative, to develop, to have ideas and to try new things, even if they failed,鈥� Bolyard said. 鈥淚 think that really helped us grow as a department.鈥�
Since joining the Union family in 2007, Bolyard has lent a hand in expanding the biology program to what it is today, including the addition of numerous majors like zoology, botany and cell and molecular biology. The biology department has also developed a wildlife rehabilitation center, the 51社区 arboretum and an educational partnership with Cypress Grove Nature Park.
Bolyard also helped establish master鈥檚 programs within biology, including hopes for a new graduate program to train pro-life genetic counselors.
Union鈥檚 Master of Science and Faith in Genetic Counseling program would be the nation鈥檚 first pro-life genetic counseling program. It will help equip pro-life genetic counselors who are highly trained both in genetics and as Christian counselors. Genetic counselors provide information regarding the results of genetic tests to patients, loved ones or caregivers, so to train genetic counselors with Union鈥檚 Christ-centered values could help expand the field of genetic counseling.
As Union expanded its College of Nursing and Health Sciences to include new master鈥檚 programs, Bolyard said it was divine inspiration that helped him come up with the idea for a pro-life genetic counseling program.
鈥淣obody had said to me, 鈥楬ey, this is something we need,鈥� or, 鈥楾his is an issue,鈥� or anything else, but as I thought more about it, I thought Union would be uniquely situated to offer a pro-life genetic counseling program,鈥� Bolyard said. 鈥淎s I talked with many OB/GYNs, other genetic counselors and patients, I quickly came to the conclusion that this really could be valuable.鈥�
Because all graduate or non-traditional programs at Union require self-funding, Bolyard said it is a tremendous exercise in patience and God鈥檚 timing to see the program fully funded. With a goal of $300,000, Bolyard is meeting with Union alumni and other individuals, churches and pro-life and Christian medical organizations to raise money for the nation鈥檚 first pro-life genetic counseling program.
In support of the genetic counseling program, Union art alumna, Elisabeth Marsch, is donating a portion of the proceeds from all sales which mention "UU Genetic Counseling" upon checkout. This benefit will run through the end of the year.
Bolyard said his dream is to retire after watching the first graduates receive a Union degree in genetic counseling. Until then, he plans to continue teaching, serving in his new role as associate dean for the College of Arts and Sciences and encouraging others to see how their lives are surrounded by biology.