Echo Spring 2021 - 34

By Shanika Churchville, LBC | Capital Writing Services Coordinator & Assistant Professor of English Composition
loved every minute of it! "
This phrase punctuated my conversation
with Dr. Diane Dick, who will retire in June
after 26 years of service in LBC | Capital's
Education Department. It captures the vitality with
which she interacts with students and colleagues and
her thorough enjoyment of every opportunity God
has granted her.
" She taught me
that one of the
ways I can be the
hands and feet
of Jesus to my
students is to be
a champion for
every child that
walks through
my classroom
door. "
- Becca Foxwell ('10)
Diane traces God's hand on her life, from Trevorton,
Pennsylvania, to Lancaster, by way of Philadelphia
and New York. She speaks fondly of the people
who have invested in her-supportive and loving
parents, a mentor at The King's College in Briarcliff
Manor, New York, who encouraged her to pursue
her master's degree, the benefactor who provided
a down payment for the Dicks' first home and the
Christian pediatricians who have prayerfully walked
alongside her and her husband, Randall, in caring for
their son, Brandon.
Diane's diverse, impressive educational and
professional background has been a gift to LBC |
Capital. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in religion
and philosophy at The King's College, her master's
in Educational Leadership at Wheaton College
and her doctorate in Curriculum and Teaching at
Fordham University. She has directed children's
ministry, written for Christian publications,
supervised student teachers in New York City
schools, taught students with special needs
and chaired the education department at
Nyack College, serving as its first female
department head.
At LBC | Capital, Diane has taught
courses in science, social studies,
human growth and educational
psychology and has supervised
practicums and student teachers.
Diane pours herself into her students.
She transparently shares with them
about Brandon's autism and seizure
disorder, and in so doing, not only
models her trust in God, but also
prepares her students for their own
experiences with children with special
needs. She consistently models
the faithfulness of God
in her classes and
through her life.
" Diane provides tidbits about student teaching to
help them be successful and to help them overcome
their fear of this capstone experience, " said Dr. Julia
Hershey ('98), chair of the LBC | Capital Education
Department. " One of her encouragements involves
her lanyard holding a handful of keys. She holds this
lanyard in the air remarking that, 'God is not dangling
you out and looking to drop you in student teaching.
He can be trusted that he has your best interest in
mind. While student teaching might not always be
easy, He will hold you; He will not let you go.' These
words represent the deep belief Diane has in her
Lord and her desire for the students to trust his
perfect love. "
Over the years, Diane's students have been profoundly
shaped by her loving influence.
" One of the things I like best about Dr. Dick is how
relational she is, " shared Arianna Dykshoorn ('21). " She
cares about her students as more than just students. "
Alumnus and LBC | Capital Adjunct Professor Sarah
Rice ('06) also noted, " I am so thankful for her
tutelage in the field of education, but even more
thankful for her mentorship in marriage, raising a
family and, most importantly, serving Jesus with my
whole heart. "
In blessing her students, Diane blesses
generations of students to come.
As Becca Foxwell ('10), 2016
Pennsylvania Teacher of the
Year, put it: " She taught me
that one of the ways I can
be the hands and feet of
Jesus to my students is to
be a champion for every
child that walks through
my classroom door.
Almost a decade has
passed since I sat in one
of Dr. Dick's education
classes, but, like all good
teachers, the lessons she
taught me went beyond
the textbook and became
a part of the educator I
am today. "
34 ECHO

Echo Spring 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Echo Spring 2021