This fall, Northwestern has brought in three new full-time faculty members. To help students learn a little more about these individuals, the Beacon asked the faculty to answer a few questions.
Dr. Seunghun (Hun) Hong, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Previous experience ?
I have been teaching since my doctoral years at Penn State. I have taught for nearly nine years before coming here.
College education?
I attended Seoul National University in Korea for my undergraduate studies, then I attended Tufts University in Boston as a physics graduate student After two years, I decided to switch to math and I began to work at getting my masters in mathematics. For my Ph.D., I moved to Penn State in Pennsylvania.
Hobbies?
I used to play classical Spanish guitar, but I like to sing. I like to run but ordinary running is boring to me; I like barefoot. It keeps me alert because I have to look out for unusual objects.
Preferred superpower?
I would say supercomputing powers. I do a lot of calculations. Is that too nerdy?
Favorite way to eat Skittles?
I prefer both at the same time. Fruity sweetness is something I like.
Chris Nonhof, M.Ed, Instructor in Education
Reason for teaching at NW?
Curiosity. I knew that I would
eventually end up with this degree and I have wanted to utilize this degree. I knew that I always wanted
to be involved in higher education since the first day I stepped onto
Dordt’s campus. Northwestern had this perfect job. Absolutely every aspect of the job was something that I could see myself teaching in three or four years so I decided to apply. It happened in a different time than I was expecting and a different school than I was expecting.
Hobbies?
I love camping, hiking, jogging and tennis. I also love hanging out with my family doing things outside
Preferred superpower?
I would love to be able to breathe under water. It has always annoyed me that swimming is more difficult when one needs to breathe every twenty to thirty seconds. It would be a cool way to travel.
Favorite way to eat Skittles?
My favorite flavors are lime and cherry. I eat them because both sides of my mouth have to be happy.
Erica Vonk, M.B.A., Instructor in Business
Role at NW?
I am shared between marketing and management courses.
Previous experience?
I graduated from Northwestern, so familiarity with the culture here intrigued me to come back. I have gone through years of teaching high school business classes. Over the past couple of years, I have done some adjunct teaching for both Dordt and Northwestern.
Reason for teaching at NW?
One of my professors, Dick Vanhollan, always kept bugging me to get that masters done and come back here to take his job.
Hobbies?
I have been a swimmer since I was
six years old, so I help with the swim team in Sioux Center. I also
enjoy doing a lot of outdoor things such as off-road trails and running triathlons. I have run two so far.
Family?
My husband is a farmer, so I help him with the farm. I have two kids; my son got me started in triathlons. We train together a lot; he can still beat me in a 5k. My daughter is a creative person, always wanting to do projects and crafts.
Favorite way to eat Skittles?
I am a color person, so I tend to eat purples and reds first.
