Offering a wealth of real-world experience in data, Dr. Derek Friend will join Dordt's faculty as assistant professor of data science & statistics.
Dr. Derek Friend will join Ƶ’s faculty as assistant professor of data science & statistics this fall.
An alumnus of Dordt’s Computer Science program, Friend also received his Master of Science in Data Science from South Dakota State University. Although pursuing a doctorate degree wasn’t initially of interest to him, his growing passion for wildlife and ecology inspired a shift in direction, prompting him to seek ways to further his skills in ecology. “One of the ways for me to do that was to pursue further education,” explains Friend. This brought him to a research position at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he focused on studying the Mojave Desert tortoise. Ultimately, he earned his PhD in Geography.
Looking back on his academic experiences, Friend says, “I've had plenty of experience in the humbling realization of how little I really know—each time I've branched out into a new field, I've been confronted by my own inexperience in that field.” Yet, he sees the experience as invaluable. “It's also meant that I've gained experience in self-learning—a skill I will very much need to draw on as I venture into teaching,” adds Friend.
Most recently, Friend served as a geographer with the US Geological Survey, specifically with the Western Ecological Research Center, working with a group researching wildlife in sagebrush ecosystems, with a focus on the greater sage-grouse. Though his official title was “geographer,” Friend says that his work is more accurately described as data science. “A major part of my job has been writing code to create interactive decision-support tools for assisting our partners in conservation efforts,” he says.
According to Dr. Mike Janssen, professor of mathematics at Dordt, Friend’s broad range of experiences will enrich the department in meaningful ways. “Part of what makes this hire so exciting is how different his background is from the rest of our department,” explains Janssen. “He has extensive training and experience in data science and spatial statistics, whereas the rest of the department’s background is in mathematics. Moreover, he is an experienced statistical programmer, so he will bring a wealth of real-world data and programming concepts into the classroom in authentic ways that students will benefit from and gravitate towards.”
“As a Ƶalumnus, Derek knows the university and community well,” adds Janssen. “He is excited about the mission and finding authentic ways to live it out in the statistics classroom. He is already asking lots of great questions and looking for ways to serve our students and the broader community well.”
Reflecting on his own experience as a Ƶstudent, Friend says, “I have a lot of respect for the professors I had at Dordt. I was impressed by the professors' engagement with the students and genuine interest in helping the students learn.” Building on this foundation and his lifelong passion for helping others, Friend hopes to bring that same level of dedication and care to his own teaching.
Outside of work, Friend enjoys finding ways to cultivate community. Whether playing the viola for church, performing in the Sioux County Oratorio, or connecting with others over books and board games, Friend finds joy in blending his interests with building relationships and looks forward to finding ways to do so on campus and beyond.
About Ƶ
As an institution of higher education committed to the Reformed Christian perspective, Ƶ equips students, faculty, alumni, and the broader community to work toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life. Located in Sioux Center, Iowa, Ƶis a comprehensive university named to the best college lists by U.S. News and World Report, the Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, Forbes.com, Washington Monthly, and Princeton Review.
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