Walla Walla University Speakers Bureau

The ministry of Walla Walla University includes making professors available for preaching and teaching beyond the borders of campus. The list of speakers presented here includes men and women with extensive experience engaging congregations and inspiring audiences across the United States and around the world. We would love to bless your group, your space, for the glory of God.

Speaker requests that involve travel will be at the expense of the requestor. Additional honorariums are appreciated, and should be arranged with the speaker.


Tiago Arrais, Ph.D.

Professor of Theology
Contact Tiago at tiago.arrais@dbctl.com 

  • Biblical interpretation (including the theology of specific books and their relation to life)
  • Religion and culture (including varied topics of contemporary relevance - technology, literature, society, etc.)
  • The Bible and the human condition (the relation between Bible and themes that touch on human nature: grief, violence, freedom, etc.)
  • Introduction to systematic theology and doctrine

Tiago Arrais is originally from São Paulo, Brazil. He earned his B.Th. from the Adventist University of São Paulo, and his M.A. and Ph.D. from Andrews University. His doctoral dissertation was an interdisciplinary project focused on hermeneutics that navigated between the disciplines of systematic theology, Christian philosophy, and Old Testament. Tiago wrote about how Greek philosophical assumptions still influence the reading of the Bible, and in the context of the dissertation, the interpretation of the relation between God and humanity in the book of Exodus. After his defense, Tiago taught at the Adventist University of São Paulo and pastored in the district of Santa Fe/Los Alamos, New Mexico, before beginning his work in the School of Theology at Walla Walla University in 2024.

Tiago’s interests follow his curiosity and range from theology and philosophy to cultural studies and literature. Tiago is also a singer-songwriter and recording artist and often travels to his home country to share stories and songs with audiences from different backgrounds. Tiago is married to Paula and they have two children. Together they enjoy traveling, hiking, listening to music, and reading.


Andreas Beccai, M.Div.

Lead Pastor
Contact Andreas at andreas.beccai@dbctl.com 

  • Homiletics
  • Differentiation of self
  • Young adult ministry
  • Organizational leadership

Andreas Beccai has the privilege to engage in life-changing conversations and public communication at the intersection of faith and education. His formation in diverse cultural, racial, and socio-economic settings positively informs his work and practice. Andreas serves as the lead pastor of the Walla Walla University Church. Andreas and his wife, Cassandre, are proud parents of Eden.


Alex Bryan, D.Min.

President
Contact Alex at alex.bryan@dbctl.com

Alex's primary areas of interest include Adventist mission, Christian character, organizational leadership, faith-based healthcare, spirituality and discipleship, and Adventist education. 

Alex Bryan is president of Walla Walla University and has 30-plus years of experience as a pastor, teacher, healthcare executive, and higher education administrator. Alex has spoken across the United States and globally at venues including camp meetings, university convocations, faculty colloquia, local church events, and medical and healthcare retreats.


Pamela Cress, Ph.D.

Vice President for Academic Administration
Contact Pamela at pam.cress@dbctl.com 

Pam's areas of interest include:

  • Death, dying, loss, grief, and bereavement
  • Leadership
  • Interpersonal communication

Preferred formats: Workshop, seminar, teaching

Pamela Keele Cress began her baccalaureate education as a nursing major and changed to social work when her aversion to needles quickly surfaced. She completed both the B.S.W. and M.S.W. degrees at Walla Walla College, serving as a graduate intern on the Behavioral Medicine Unit of St. Mary Medical Center. Her Ph.D. in leadership was completed in 2005 from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich.

Cress has been employed by Walla Walla University for the past 28 years where she has served the university in various roles; professor, dean of School of Social Work and Sociology, graduate dean, and currently is the vice president of Academic Administration. In addition to her administrative role at the university, Cress has been certified as a thanatologist since 2009 through the National Association for Death Education and Counseling. She taught the Loss and Bereavement content for the school 26 years and is currently developing a new class for theology students that focuses on how pastors and chaplains support others in loss. Students from various disciplines who have taken her class, “Death and Dying,” are frequently animated about a subject many people are more comfortable avoiding. Cress considers herself a “reluctant thanatologist,” having been drawn to the formal study of death, dying, and bereavement out of her own experiences of loss rather than pure academic curiosity. 

Cress and her spouse, John, have two adult daughters and four grandchildren. Cress enjoys family, friends, music, swimming and reading while sipping a good cup of tea.    


Gregory Dodds, Ph.D.

Professor of History
Contact Gregory at gregory.dodds@dbctl.com 

  • History of Christianity
  • Faith and Science
  • Christianity and Politics
  • The Reformation
  • Tolerance & Persecution
  • Christian Nationalism
  • Adventist historical roots in Christian history, etc.

Formats: Seminars, presentations, participate in panel discussions, and, occasionally, give a sermon. 

Gregory Dodds, Ph.D. and MBA, is professor of history and chair of the department of history and philosophy at Walla Walla University. Dodds is a widely published author on the reformation, an in-demand speaker, and has led numerous history tours in Europe. 


Paul Dybdahl, Ph.D.

Professor of Theology
Contact Paul at paul.dybdahl@dbctl.com

  • Issues related to Adventism and its relationship to the world religions
  • Cross-cultural communication
  • Holistic mission. 

     

Preferred format: seminar/teaching setting, where there is opportunity for dialogue and discussion during my presentation.

Dr. Paul Dybdahl is currently a professor of Missiology at Walla Walla University, where he has taught since 2001. He came to WWU after completing his doctoral work at Andrews University, where his research focused on issues related to the effective communication of the gospel across cultural barriers. Prior to his time at Andrews, Paul served as a pastor in the Oregon Conference. Paul and his wife, Kristyn, have three children: Noah, Alyssa, and Sarah.


Lynelle Ellis, Ph.D.

Professor of Communication
Contact Lynelle at lynelle.ellis@dbctl.com   

  • Media Choices (Media Literacy, Media Effects)
  • Seventh-Day Adventists and the Movies

Preferred format: Workshop or Seminar

Lynelle Ellis is an Associate Professor in the Communication Department at Walla Walla University and the Director of The Center for Media Ministry. She worked for 13 years in media ministry at Blue Mountain Television in College Place, WA and was also a professor at Southern Adventist University where she taught communication and media courses. Her post-graduate studies included work in the areas of media literacy and media effects. Her doctoral dissertation studied the historical and contemporary conflict between Christianity and visual media. She is married to Daniel Ellis and they have three children: Garrett, age 20, Lauren, age 18 and Ashton, age 18.


Albert Handal, D.Min.

Campus Chaplain
Contact Albert at albert.handal@dbctl.com 

  • Pastoral leadership
  • Homiletics
  • Sermon Writing for Anyone
  • Practical Theology
  • Peace Studies
  • Non-violence Theology
  • Just-War Ethics
  • History of Adventist Conscientious Objection
  • Contemporary events and politics through a biblical lens
  • The Sermon on the Mount

Albert Nejib Handal serves as the University Chaplain and Assistant to the President for Spiritual Mission. Albert has been at WWU since 2017, having previously worked as a pastor in Texas, Georgia, and Michigan. Albert grew up in Tennessee where he graduated from Southern Adventist University with a bachelor's degree in theology. He also holds a Master of Divinity degree from Andrews University, and a doctorate in practical theology from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Albert is married to Allison, a hospital chaplain, and they are the parents of three small children: Edward, Rosa, and Dalia.

Kirt Onthank, Ph.D.

Professor of Biology
Contact Kirt at kirt.onthank@dbctl.com 

  • Ocean life/marine biology (especially octopuses)
  • Climate change
  • Ocean acidification
  • Conservation
  • The role of science in society
  • Careers in marine biology

Preferred formats: Workshop, seminar, class presentations, panel discussions, guided beach tours/nature walks (I have marine animals and aquaria I can bring to locations within driving distance.)

Dr. Kirt L. Onthank is a professor of biological sciences at Walla Walla University and director of the Rosario Beach Marine Laboratory. His research focuses on the physiology of octopuses and other cephalopods, with an emphasis on their adaptations and responses to climate change. Dr. Onthank has published on topics related to marine invertebrate physiology and ecology and has led several grant-funded research projects. He is also committed to mentoring students, helping them engage in meaningful scientific research and preparing for their careers.


Amanda Ramoutar, Ph.D.

Professor of Education
Contact Amanda at amanda.ramoutar@dbctl.com 

Topics for presentations related to education and inclusive practices, along with the desired format, are adaptable to the requesting organization's needs. 

  • Special Education
  • High Incidence Disabilities 
  • Getting Started with a Multi-tiered System of Supports
  • Approaches for Managing Challenging Behavior
  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Amanda Ramoutar is an inclusive and special education specialist with a profound commitment to her Christian faith, which informs her values of love, compassion, and service. Her career has centered on enhancing educational opportunities for all students, particularly those with special educational needs. Amanda holds a PhD in Education, focusing her research on inclusive education practices, along with a MEd in Inclusive and Special Education, a MSc in Psychology, and a BEd specializing in Primary and Special Needs Education. She is also currently pursuing an Executive Master of Business Administration, which she believes will be useful in enhancing her teaching and administrative capabilities. With extensive classroom experience across early childhood, elementary, secondary, and tertiary levels in Trinidad and Tobago and the United States, Amanda brings a wealth of practical knowledge to her role. Currently, she serves as a faculty member at Walla Walla University, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in the School of Education and Psychology. Amanda's dedication extends beyond teaching, as she actively contributes to research and service, aiming to further the discourse on inclusion and belonging in education. Outside of her professional pursuits, Amanda cherishes time with her family and finds joy in traveling to new places.


Cynthia Westerbeck, Ph.D.

Professor of English
Contact Cynthia at cynthia.westerbeck@dbctl.com 

Workshops or class presentation topics:

  • The Value of the Humanities and SDA Liberal Arts Education in the Age of AI
  • Writing and Academic Integrity in the Age of AI
  • Deep Reading and Information Literacy in the Digital Age

Seminar presentation topics:

  • “Fearfully & Wonderfully Made?”: Science Fiction, Artificial Intelligence, & the Divine Spark
  • “Contraries Meet in One”: Shakespeare, Donne, and the Making of the King James Bible
  • “Good God Deliver Us!”: Literary Voices from a Time of Plague
  • Picturing Christ: Incarnation, Iconography, and the Second Commandment
  • From Kitchen Scold to Dragon Slayer: The Gospel According to Martha
  • “That Mysterious Good”: The Historical Debate over Music and Morality
  • The Politics of Redemption in Milton’s Paradise Lost

Cynthia Westerbeck is the chair of the Department of English & Modern Languages. She earned her Ph.D. in British & American Literature from Washington University in St. Louis. In addition to teaching courses in Renaissance, Enlightenment, and Romantic literature, she also teaches college writing and has a special interest in the intersection between literature and the arts.