Faculty Feature is a series in the Blue Tribune that recognizes the excellent professors and staff of Covenant College.

This week we're highlighting Dr. Nola Hecker, Associate Professor of Linguistics.

What brought you to Covenant? How long have you been teaching?

I've been teaching full time since the fall of 2010. At the start of my career, I was teaching linguistics up in Pennsylvania, and I needed a warmer place to live and work.

What do you love about teaching at Covenant?

Lots of things! I enjoy getting to know our students and hearing their perspectives and questions in class. I love their willingness to share my interest in language and linguistics. I appreciate all the ways they encourage me to continue learning and asking new questions.

What is your history with the PCA or Reformed Tradition?

I started attending a PCA church when I was in graduate school in California, and I first became a member of a PCA church soon after I graduated and moved to Pennsylvania.

What's your favorite Covenant tradition?

Probably Convocation. I love how our community celebrates the beginning of the school year.

What is a current research project or area of interest you're excited about?

I have a growing interest studying the intersection of language and religion from a sociolinguistic perspective.

What's one of your favorite cultural or family traditions?

When my grandparents were alive and well, we had all of our family gatherings in their restaurant. I can't pick just one, but all of my favorite family traditions were rooted in that little hamburger joint.

Tell us a little about your family:

I'm married to Brian Hecker '06, and we have a young son named Henry. I also have a lot of family members in Texas and Oklahoma and a brother in California.