The Blue
Tribune
The Blue Tribune is your place to learn about all things Covenant and keep up with stories from campus and beyond. By guiding you through the different aspects of Covenant, we'll help you decide if you want to pursue your very own Covenant experience.
Faculty Feature: Dr. Preston Hoobler
Faculty Feature is a series in the Blue Tribune that recognizes the excellent professors and staff of Covenant College through a series of questions.
This week we're highlighting Dr. Preston Hoobler, Assistant Professor of Chemistry.
What brought you to Covenant? How long have you been teaching?
This is my third year teaching at Covenant. My wife and I shared a desire to be part of a faith-based academic community pretty much as soon as I decided to get my Ph.D. The Lord worked it out that there was a job opening in the Chemistry Department around the time that I was graduating. We feel incredibly blessed to be here.
What is your history with Covenant?
I honestly knew nothing about Covenant or the PCA until around 7 years ago when my wife (girlfriend at the time) and I started attending Faith PCA in Watkinsville, GA. I interacted with several Covenant grads during my time there and found them to be very thoughtful people who were serious about living out their faith in whatever callings they happened to have.
What do you love about teaching at Covenant?
I love the students here. I have found that when students are willing to ask questions in and out of class, I get to think about things that I wouldn't have otherwise considered. Sometimes those questions are more about life than chemistry and those conversations can be fun and encouraging as well.
Tell us a little about your family:
My wife and I have been married for six years. We're both from the midwest and enjoy visiting family over the summer when it's not as hot up there. My wife doesn't as much like visiting for Christmas, but I still enjoy a little cold weather (below 32 Fahrenheit).
How do you/your department encourage each student to pursue academic excellence?
Students learn a lot in science through failing and trying again. Our laboratory classes are long enough that students can make mistakes and try again, with a greater understanding and improving upon their method. This is often the process of doing science. If students can become comfortable with working through failure and making each attempt an improvement over the last, they will be doing something excellent.