Meeting Dr. Griffith and Seeking Encouragement Amid Chaos

Dr. Joseph Griffith poses with his wife Katie and their two sons: Isaiah and Timothy. || Photo credit to Dr. Joseph Griffith

“Bouncing on the bed at four years old and saying words that start with b, because I apparently liked to do that, I asked to be a part of God’s family,” said Dr. Joseph Griffith, Professor at The King’s College. 

Griffith was hired by King’s in August and has spent the past two semesters teaching courses under the Politics, Philosophy and Economics program.

In his first year of teaching at King’s, Griffith has gained popularity among the students as his teaching style is enthusiastic and engaging.

“There is so much student participation and we always have good class discussions, which I really like,” said Rose Newmiller, a sophomore.

Likewise, Griffith’s favorite part about King’s is the students. He finds that King’s students are more eager and willing to discuss heavier, controversial topics than students he has previously taught at other schools.

King’s students are especially, “eloquent, hard-working and respectful,” Griffith said.

Griffith is originally from Medina, Ohio where his dad taught him to be a fan of “excellence” from a young age. He spent his undergraduate career at Ashland University and later moved to Waco, Texas where he earned his Masters and Ph.D. at Baylor University.

Now, Griffith lives in Brooklyn with his wife Katie, a professional ballerina and current stay-at-home mom, and their two sons Isaiah and Timothy. They enjoy walking everywhere and taking their sons to South Slope Park. Griffith remarked that “there is never a dull moment in our small apartment,” and added that Isaiah already asks to visit the local coffee shops. He is becoming “a little hipster,” Griffith said.

Amidst the current global pandemic, Griffith and his family are seeking refuge in their home state of Ohio. He is unsure of what the future holds due to the outbreak but remains confident in the leadership of King’s.

“Time will tell. But I am confident in the leadership of the administration -- especially President Gibson. We have amazing faculty who are wise, good communicators, and great teachers.”

As a politics professor, Griffith has offered insight on the U.S. government’s COVID-19 response.

Griffith says that he “finds encouragement that our constitutional government is still working,” and applauds health experts and elected officials who are working together.

However, if Griffith could change anything about how the U.S. government is handling the pandemic, it would be the language government officials are using.

“We don’t need to use end-of-times language. Just stay at home!” Griffith said.

The professor also offers some hope for students to embrace. He says to find encouragement in the words of Psalm 90:12 which reads, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (NIV)

While at King’s, Griffith hopes to be a good resource to his students and ultimately a good teacher. Taking cues from an undergraduate professor he once had, Griffith’s goals for his classes are “to try to hit home one big idea throughout the semester and to see every student have their own thoughts,” Griffith said. “Ask me again in, God willing, five or 10 years and I’ll have a different answer.”