Dr. Mark R. Amstutz is among the longest-serving faculty members in Wheaton College history. During his 44 years of service, Dr. Amstutz has launched Wheaton’s political science department, developed study abroad programs, and pioneered research in international ethics. Through his books and articles, he has contributed substantially to his field. He also was a Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve, serving for more than six years as a Naval attaché. Even with these impressive credentials, Dr. Amstutz considers his greatest achievement to be “helping students leave Wheaton to serve the kingdom of Christ.” 

His students agree. Reflecting on Dr. Amstutz’s influence, Barbara Bates Alexander ’77 recalls an alumni event in Washington, D.C., when “the moderator asked the crowd of 200 how many had Dr. Amstutz for Political Science 101. Three-fourths of the crowd raised their hands.” 

Judd Birdsall ’05, M.A. ’06 says that insights from Dr. Amstutz’s lectures, with their “hard-headed political analysis and warm-hearted Christian faith,” have “stuck with me throughout my diplomatic and academic career.” 

Motivated by “a sense of fulfillment in the classroom,” Dr. Amstutz says he is rewarded by “being a teacher, a mentor, a friend to students, and seeing them go out into the highways and byways.”

NAME: Dr. Mark R. Amstutz

HOMETOWN: Temuco, Chile

TITLE: Professor of political science

DEPARTMENT: Politics and International Relations

YEARS: 44

EDUCATION: Ph.D. in International Relations and M.A. in Latin American Studies, American University; B.A. in History, Houghton College

FUN FACT: Dr. Amstutz bikes, sails, and was once charged by a mother elephant