Dr. Paul Egeland ’77 believes a robust education extends beyond the classroom. His philosophy? Think outside—no box required.

A lifelong outdoor enthusiast, Dr. Egeland has dedicated his career to motivating and mobilizing future educators, both in and outside the classroom. 

“A lot of the core curricula can be accessed through the environment,” says Dr. Egeland, who has led trips in rappelling, climbing, biking, canoeing, and hiking. 

Egeland has worked as an educator in the Andes mountains, an adventure trip leader at Timber-lee Christian Center, a summer program leader at HoneyRock, and a public school teacher. He currently serves as chair of Wheaton College’s Department of Education.

“Outdoor environments are places where you can really interact with others and with your creator,” says Dr. Egeland. “That love of God’s world, the opportunity to unplug, to have a little digital detox...have been delightful aspects of my experience these past years.” Dr. Egeland hopes to encourage future educators as they witness God’s majesty, whether they go on to teach overseas or in the public school system, or use creation as a classroom.

HOMETOWN: CHICAGO, IL

TITLE: ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT CHAIR

DEPARTMENT: EDUCATION

YEARS: 23

EDUCATION: ED. D., NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY; M.S. ED., NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY; B.A., WHEATON COLLEGE (IL)

FUN FACT: DR. EGELAND MAKES STAINED GLASS ART DURING HIS FREE TIME