Lee University Welcomes Six New Faculty

Lee University welcomes six new full-time faculty members this fall: Jonathan Cornett, Andrew Harnsberger, Laura Singletary, Christopher Stephenson, Kirstee Williams, and William Woolfitt.

Drs. Cornett, Singletary, Williams, and Woolfitt are joining the College of Arts and Sciences, while Dr. Harnsberger is joining the School of Music, and Dr. Stephenson is joining the School of Religion.

Dr. Jonathan Cornett, assistant professor of biology, received his doctorate in genetics and molecular biology from Emory University.  Since that time, he has been a postdoctoral fellow at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute of Yale University School of Medicine. Dr. Cornett has also served as an adjunct instructor at Albertus Magnus College. 

As a student at Lee, Dr. Cornett was a Centennial Scholar, a Ledford Scholar, winner of the E.K. Hamilton Scholarship in Math and Sciences and the recipient of the departmental Biochemistry Award. He holds professional memberships in the American Society of Human Genetics and the New York Academy of Sciences.

Dr. Laura Singletary, assistant professor of mathematics, holds a doctorate in mathematics education from the University of Georgia, where she was awarded the Presidential Graduate Fellowship. She earned her master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Lee University. Singletary is also pursuing an interdisciplinary graduate certificate in qualitative research.

While a student at Lee, Dr. Singletary was a Centennial Scholar and the recipient of the departmental Mathematics Award.

Dr. Kirstee Williams, assistant professor of psychology, earned her doctorate and master’s degrees from Loma Linda University, and a bachelor’s from Southern Adventist University.

Since completion of her doctorate in December 2011, Dr. Williams has taught part-time at Lee, Loma Linda University and Southern Adventist University.  The focus of her clinical and academic research has been to empower couples toward marital well-being and relationship by upholding Christian values. Williams is a licensed marital and family therapist.

William Woolfitt, assistant professor of creative writing, earned his doctorate in English and Master of Fine Arts from The Pennsylvania State University. He also earned a master’s from Hollins University and a bachelor’s from Fairmont State College.

Dr. Woolfitt has taught at Colorado Mountain College and Penn State.  After completing his first master’s degree, Dr. Woolfitt worked for 11 years as a leadership development counselor and trip leader at a Christian summer camp in New Hampshire.

Dr. Woolfitt has numerous poetry and non-fiction publications to his credit.  His book, “The Salvager’s Arts,” was selected as co-winner of the 2011 Keystone Chapbook Prize and is scheduled for release this fall.

Dr. Andrew Harnsberger, assistant professor of percussion, received his doctorate of musical arts from the Eastman School of Music, and his master’s and bachelor’s of music from Virginia State University.

Dr. Harnsberger joined Lee as a part-time music instructor in 1998. His performances include symphonic and philharmonic orchestras across the United States.  He has taught at Columbus State University, Charleston Southern University, University of Richmond and Virginia State University.

Dr. Christopher Stephenson, assistant professor of theology, received his doctorate in theology and ethics from Marquette University and his master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Lee University.

Dr. Stephenson began teaching at Lee part-time in 2008. His dissertation received a grant from the prestigious Louisville Institute and is published with Oxford University Press, entitled Types of Pentecostal Theology: Method, System, Spirit. He has also published articles in Journal of Pentecostal Theology and Religion Compass. His areas of specialization include theological method, pneumatology, Christology, and pentecostal theology.

An ordained bishop in the Church of God, Dr. Stephenson is an active member of the East Cleveland congregation, where he regularly preaches and teaches.