Montreat College has named Dr. Dorothea Hawthorne as the new Director of the Honors Program and Professor of English, starting August 1, 2026.
Hawthorne comes to Montreat with more than two decades of experience teaching Honors humanities and English at leading Christian institutions of higher education. Most recently, she served as Professor of English at Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) in Ohio, where she also chaired the Department of English and History for ten years. At MVNU, she also served on the Honors Faculty Advisory Council and the General Education Committee, where her curriculum development work helped deepen faith integration and vocational exploration in core courses.
Hawthorne’s teaching career includes appointments at Baylor University and Wheaton College, as well as serving as an ESL instructor in China for Educational Services International. She received MVNU’s highest faculty honor, the Excellence in Teaching Award, in 2021.
“We are grateful to welcome Dr. Hawthorne to Montreat College,” said President Paul J. Maurer. “Her experience in Honors education, paired with her passion for teaching, will be a tremendous asset to our students, faculty, and the continued growth of our Honors Program.”
Hawthorne’s academic background includes a Ph.D. and M.A. in English Language and Literature from The University of Chicago and a B.A. in Literature from Grove City College in Pennsylvania. She also completed study abroad coursework through the Institute for European Studies at the University of Durham in the United Kingdom. She is a Harvey Fellow.
“I am delighted to join Montreat College and its superb Honors Program,” Hawthorne said. “I look forward to participating in Montreat’s mission of Christ-centered education and mentoring Honors students as they pursue academically excellent work to God’s glory.”
As Director of the Honors Program, Hawthorne will lead the continued development of the program’s curriculum, support Honors admissions and recruitment efforts, and create scholarly opportunities that enrich the academic experience for Montreat students. An avid walker and hiker, she also looks forward to exploring area trails with students.
Dr. Lisa Toland, who has served as Director of the Honors Program with excellence and distinction since 2016, will continue to lead the program for the remainder of the 2025-26 academic year.
For more information about Montreat College’s Honors Program, please visit www.montreat.edu/honors.