More Complete List of Publications

Refereed Journal Articles:

Ewert, D. Merrill (2017). “Faith and Life of the Mind.” Direction, Vol., 46, No. 2, pp. 134-147. https://directionjournal.org/46/2/faith-and-life-of-mind.html

Ewert, Merrill (2007). “Christian Higher Education: Engaging Society and Culture.” Direction, Vol. 36, No. 2, pp. 174-191. https://directionjournal.org/36/2/christian-higher-education-engaging.html

Ewert, D. Merrill (2002). “The Passenger in Row 22.” Adult Learning, Vol. 11, No. 4, pp. 30-31.

Prins, Esther, and Ewert, D. Merrill (2002). “Cooperative Extension and Faith-Based Organizations: Building Social Capital.” Journal of Extension, Vol. 40, No.3. http://www.joe.org/joe/2002june/comm2.html.

Grace, Kristen; Ewert, D. Merrill; and Eberts, Paul R. (1995). “MCCers and Evangelicals: Perspectives of Development.” Conrad Grabel Review, Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 365-384).

Ewert, D. Merrill, King-Rice, Jennifer A. and Elliott Lauderdale (1995). “Training for Diversity: How Organizations Become More Inclusive.” Adult Learning, Vol. 6, No. 5, pp. 27-28.

Ewert, D. Merrill; Clark, Peter D.; and Eberts, Paul (1994). “Between Two Paradigms: Evangelicals and Development.” Stewardship Journal, Vol. 4, No. 2-3, pp. 43-51

Ewert, D. Merrill, and King-Rice, Jennifer A. (1994). “Managing Diversity Within Cooperative Extension.” Journal of Extension, Vol. 32, No. 1.

Ewert, D. Merrill; Yaccino, Thomas; and Yaccino, Delores (1994). “Cultural Diversity and Self-Sustaining Development: The Effective Facilitator.” Journal of the Community Development Society, Vol. 25, No. 1, pp. 20-33.

Ewert, D. Merrill (1994). “From Answers to Questions: A Personal Journey.” Adult Learning, Vol. 5, No. 6, pp. 7, 31.

Ewert, D. Merrill (1994). “Teachers Helping Teachers.” Adult Learning, Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 26-28.

Ewert, D. Merrill, and Eberts, Paul (1993). “Religion, World View, and Community Development Practice.” Journal of the Community Development Society. Vol. 24, No. 2, pp. 229-248.

Ewert, D. Merrill (1988). “Continuing Education: Your Options.” Evangelical Missions Quarterly, October.

Ewert, D. Merrill (1981). “Proverbs, Parables and Metaphors: Applying Freire’s Concept of Codifications to Africa.” Convergence, Vol. XVI, No. 1, pp. 32-43.

Book Chapters:

Ewert, D. Merrill (2021. “Africa, a transformative place.” In Mennonites and Post-Colonial African Studies, edited by John M. Janzen, Harold F. Miller, and John C. Yoder. London and New York: Routledge, pp. 204-216.

Ewert, D. Merrill (2004). “From Defeat to Debate.” In College Faith (2), edited by Ronald Alan Knott. Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press, pp. 39-40.

Grace, Kristen A.; Ewert, D. Merrill; and Eberts, Paul (2001). “Practitioner Values and Development Approaches: A Comparative Study of International Development Practitioners.” In Rising Tide: Community Development Tools, Models, and Processes, edited by D. Bruce and G. Lister. Sackville,New Brunswick: Rural and Small Town Programme.

Ewert, D. Merrill, and Grace, Kristen (2000). “Adult Education for Community Action.” In Arthur Wilson and Elsabeth Hayes (eds.), Handbook of Adult and Continuing Education, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.

Ewert, D. Merrill, and Larson, Deborah (1998). “Literacy.” In. Gary A. Goreham (ed.), Encyclopedia of Rural America: The Land and People. ABE-CLIO, Santa Barbara, pp. 424-427.

Ewert, D. Merrill (1989). “Experiential Learning: A Case Study from Zaire.” In Experiential Education for Community Development, Paul S. Denise and Ian Harris (eds.). New York: Greenwood Press, pp. 113-127.

Ewert, D. Merrill (1989). “Adult Education and International Development.” In Phyllis Cunningham and Sharan Merriam (eds.), Handbook of Adult and Continuing Education, San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers, pp. 84-98.

Ewert, D. Merrill (1982). “Involving Adult Learners in Program Planning.” In Linking Philosophy and Practice, Sharan B. Merriam (ed.), San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, pp. 29-38.

Magazine and Technical Articles:

Ewert, D. Merrill (Dec 2012/Jan 2013). “Dear Colleagues: a president’s final thoughts regarding FPU, Christian higher education.” The Christian Leader, pp. 15-16. http://www.usmb.org/dear-colleagues

Ewert, D. Merrill (Oct/Nov, 2010). “Fired.” The Christian Leader, pp. 12-13). http://www.usmb.org/Websites/usmb/Images/Christian%20Leader/CL%20issues/CL%20OctNov%202010.pdf

Ewert, D. Merrill (July, 2004). “Learning that transforms.” The Christian Leader, pp. 4-7.

Ewert, D. Merrill, and Nikkel, Larry W. (Nov., 2003). “Why we should value higher education that isChristian.” The Christian Leader, pp. 3-9.

Ewert, D. Merrill (December 2002). “No Room: a True African Tale.” The Christian Leader, pp. 5-6.

Ewert, D. Merrill (July/August 1997). “Beyond the Outhouse.” The Marketplace, pp. 8-10.

Ewert, D. Merrill, and Ngatiri, George (Jul-Sept., 1987). “Learning Health Through Song and Story.” Together, pp. 1-3.

Ewert, D. Merrill (May/June, 1987). “Lessons from the Goats.” The Marketplace, pp. 4-5.

Ewert, D. Merrill (1983). Selected Sections of Evaluation Sourcebook, Daniel Santo Pietro (ed.), American Council of Voluntary Agencies for Foreign Service, Inc.: New York.

Ewert, D. Merrill (April, 1983). “The Use of Ethnography, Case Study and Grounded Theory in Adult Education Research.” Symposium presented at 1983 Adult Education Research Conference, Montreal, Canada.

Ewert, D. Merrill (1981). “Evaluation in Adult Education.” Maryland Adult Educator, Vol. 3, Nos. 3-4, pp. 82-88.

Ewert, D. Merrill (1978). “Survey Research and Needs Assessment.” In Approaches to Appropriate Evaluation, Maryanne L. Dulansey (ed.), American Council of Voluntary Agencies for Overseas Service, New York, New York.

Ewert, D. Merrill (1975), Humanization and Development, Development Monograph Series, No. 2, Mennonite Central Committee, Akron, Pennsylvania.

Edited Book:

Ewert, D. Merrill (1990). A New Agenda for Medical Missions, Brunswick, Georgia; MAP International.

Extension Publications:

Barrett, Kathy, in collaboration with Ewert, D. Merrill (1998). Farmer to Farmer Learning Groups,Ithaca, NY: Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Ewert, D. Merrill (1997). “Social Capital and Community Development.” Literacy Practitioner, Vol. 4, No. 2., p. 8, 12.

Larson, Desi; Ewert, D. Merrill; and Deshler, J. David (1997). “Participatory Action Research: A Strategy for Linking Rural Literacy with Community Development.” Literacy Practitioner, Vol. 4, No. 2, p. 13.

Deshler, J. David, and Ewert, D. Merrill (1995). “PAR: Traditions and Major Assumptions.” The PAR Network News. Vol. 3, no. 1.

Capagrossi, Douglas; Ewert, D. Merrill; Deshler, J. David; and Greene, Jennifer (1994). “Literacy and Community Development.” CaRDI Report. Ithaca, New York: Cornell University, Community and Rural Development Institute.

Ewert, D. Merrill (1994). “Rural Literacy and Community Development: Building the Link.” Literacy Practitioner (Published by Literacy Volunteers of America–New York). Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 1-2, 8.

Ewert, D. Merrill (Nov., 1991). “NGOs and Self-Sustaining Development: Bridging the Theory-Practice Gap.” Newsletter of the Institute for African Development.

Whaples, Gene C., and Ewert, D. Merrill (eds.) (1981). Proceedings: 1981 Lifelong Learning Research Conference, Department of Agricultural and Extension Education, College Park, Maryland.

Whaples, Gene C., and Ewert, D. Merrill (eds.) (1980). Proceedings: 1980 Lifelong Learning Research Conference, Department of Agricultural and Extension Education, College Park, Maryland.

Whaples, Gene C., and Ewert, D. Merrill (eds.) (1979). Proceedings: 1979 Lifelong Learning Research Conference. Department of Agricultural and Extension Education, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland.

Essays & Papers

Over the years, I’ve written a variety of essays and unpublished papers on issues relating to community-based development, rural extension and higher education. This section will include papers that are still “in process” rather than fully formed.

What Professors Hope Incoming Freshmen Know/Understand

Several years ago, I asked a group of Fresno Pacific University professors what they wished all incoming freshmen knew (or understood) when they arrived on campus for their first day of class. This is what those professors said:

Education is a process, not a commodity – Your professors will challenge you with cutting-edge knowledge, forcing you to think in new ways. They will engage you in conversations that will help you to examine your most basic assumptions, but they’ll also be there with you through this process. Nobody will give you an education; you have to claim it for yourselves!
You are responsible for your own learning – The dirty secret in higher education is that it’s relatively easy to find a college where you can slide through and do the minimum. However, if you invest little/nothing in your education, that’s exactly what you will get from this experience—almost nothing! On the other hand, if you open yourself up to learning—and do the expected work—your life will be transformed.
Develop the life of the mind – Your professors will teach you to think for yourselves; in the process, you will also learn how to learn. They not only want you to read the assigned materials and complete the assignments, but also to debate and challenge them. In that process, you will learn how to think at a much deeper level. Their goal is to help you develop your own minds, not to transfer content (from them to you) or to tell you what to think or believe.
Get to know your professors – You are the reason why they chose to become professors; you are the best part of their jobs! It’s not primarily the content of their disciplines but rather their engagement with you that makes teaching meaningful and rewarding. If the professors at your university don’t make it obvious that they feel this way about you, you’re at the wrong place!
Seek out new experiences – Study abroad for a semester, enroll in a program that will provide you with an internship on Capitol Hill in Washington DC, go on a ministry trip, volunteer in a resource-limited school, and befriend an international student. Experience new and different cultures. Trying things you’ve never attempted before will forever enrich your lives.
Organize your time well– Nobody will ask (or care) if you’re ready for class or if your papers are done. Nor will anyone tell you that it’s time for bed. College is not summer camp; it’s like a job where you have to show up every day and do your work. Everybody is busy; some people are simply better organized so get their work done on time. Lack of organization is the college student’s greatest stressor so make lists, establish a calendar, read your texts and start your written assignments early.

Christian Colleges and Higher Education Today

This essay summarizes some personal reflections during my sabbatical which came after ten years as President of Fresno Pacific University. I shared these observations and concerns with the university trustees in a report on my sabbatical.

The Role of Adult Education in Building Social Capital and Strengthening Civil Society

This paper was prepared as part of a symposium in Taiwan in 2002 that addressed a group of educators who were interested in social change. The paper itself was based on research that my graduate students at Cornell University and I were doing in the 1990s.

Refereed Conference Papers:

Prins, Esther, and D. Merrill Ewert (November, 2000). “One Body, Many Members: BuildingRelationships Across Differences in Faith-based Community Development and Organizing.” Paperpresented at the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action Conference,New Orleans, Louisiana.

Grace, Kristen A.; Ewert, D. Merrill; and Eberts, Paul (July, 2000). “Do Beliefs Matter?” A Comparative Study of International Development Practitioners.” Paper presented at the Community Development Society Annual Conference, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia.

Tucker, Terry W.; Balbarino, Edwin; and Ewert, D. Merrill (March, 1998). “Informal Farmer Experimentation in Resource-Poor Environments: Understanding Differential Propensity and Capacity.” Paper presented at the Association of International Agricultural and Extension Educators, Tucson, AZ.

Ewert, D. Merrill; John Jackson; and Delores Alcober (1998). “Participatory Research and Community-Based Planning in the Philippines.” Paper presented at the 30^th Annual Community Development Society Conference, Kansas City, MO., July, 1998.

Larson, Deborah, and D. Merrill Ewert (1998). “Building Sustainable Communities: The Role of Adult Literacy.” Paper presented at the 30^th Annual Community Development Society Conference, Kansas City, MO., July, 1998.

Eberts, Paul R.; Clark, Peter D.; and Ewert, D. Merrill (August, 1996). “Toward Greater Local Pluralism in the Former Soviet Union: Prospects for Creating a ‘Civil Society’ in Belarus. Paper presented at the 1996 Rural Sociological Society annual conference.

Padamsee, Deborah L.; Ewert, D. Merrill; and Deshler, J. David (May, 1996). “Literacy Education for Community Development.” Paper presented at Commission on Adult Basic Education annual conference. Pittsburgh, PA.

Padamsee, Deborah L.; Ewert, D. Merrill; and Deshler, J. David. (March, 1996). “Rural Literacy and Community Development: Establishing the Link.” Paper presented to the 1996 World Conference on Literacy, Philadelphia, PA.

Eberts, Paul R.; Clark, Peter D.; Goodman, Rachel M.; and Ewert, D. Merrill (August, 1995). “Rural Influences on Leaders’ and People’s Attitudes Toward Fundamental Economic and Political Change in Belarus: An Analysis of Survey Data.” Paper presented at the 1995 Rural Sociological Society annual conference, Washington, D.C.

Eberts, Paul R.; Clark, Peter D.; Goodman, Rachel M.; and Ewert, D. Merrill (July, 1995). “Trust, Community Development, and the Re-Creation of Civil Society in Post-Soviet Belarus.” Paper presented at the 1995 Community Development Society annual conference, Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Colverson, Kathleen Earl, and Ewert, D. Merrill (March, 1995). “Rural Women’s’ Access to Agricultural Information: A Participatory Study of Two Honduran Communities.” Paper presented at the 1995 annual conference of The Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Malvicini, Peter G.; Alcober, Delores L.; Jackson, John, Tucker; Terry W.; and Ewert, D. Merrill (March, 1995). “Decentralization of Agricultural Extension in the Philippines: Forming Community-Based Partnerships.” Paper presented at the 1995 annual conference of The Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Ewert, D. Merrill; Eberts, Paul; and Deshler, J. David (July, 1994). “Values and the Practice of Community Development.” Paper presented at the 1994 annual conference of the Community Development Society, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Eberts, Paul, and Ewert, D. Merrill (August, 1993). “Secularism, Christianity, and Community Development Practice.” Presented at the 1993 Rural Sociological Society annual conference, Orlando, Florida.

Ewert, D. Merrill, and Eberts, Paul (July, 1993). “Religious World View and Community Development Practice in Developing Nations.” Presented at the 1993 Community Development Society annual conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Ewert, D. Merrill; Malvicini, Peter; Clark, Peter D.; and Deshler, David (May, 1993). “Adult Literacy and Community Development: Exploring the Link.” Presented at 1993 Adult Education Research Conference, State College, Pennsylvania.

Ewert, D. Merrill; Bunch, Roland; and Gubbels, Peter (March, 1992). “Experimenting Farmers in West Africa and Central America.” Paper presented at the 1992 annual conference of the Association for International Agricultural and Extension Education, Columbus, Ohio.

Ewert, D. Merrill; Yaccino, Thomas; and Yaccino, Delores (July, 1992). “Cultural Diversity and Self-Sustaining Development: The Successful Facilitator.” Paper presented at the 1992 Community Development Society annual conference, Charleston, South Carolina.

White, Vaughn P., and Ewert, D. Merrill (Feb., 1982). “A Study of Maryland 4-H Extension Agents’ Attitudes Towards the Disadvantaged.” Paper presented at the 1982 Lifelong Learning Research Conference, College Park, Maryland.

Ewert, D. Merrill, and Whaples, Gene C. (April, 1981). “Assessing the Impact of Adult Basic Education: Some Methodological Considerations”. Paper presented at the 1981 Adult Education Research Conference, DeKalb, Illinois.

MacBailey, Foday, and Ewert, D. Merrill (April, 1981). “Attitudes, Diffusion and Decision-making in Rural Nigeria: The Impact of Nonformal Education.” Paper presented at the 1981 Adult Education Research Conference, DeKalb, Illinois.

Bennof, Marvin J., and Ewert, D. Merrill (Feb, 1981). “The Mandatory Continuing Education Debate: The Perceptions of Maryland Dentists.” Paper presented at the 1981 Lifelong Learning Research Conference, College Park, Maryland.

Walker, Sharon M.; Ewert, D. Merrill; and Whaples, Gene C. (Feb., 1981). “Perceptions of Program Impact: ABE/GED in Maryland.” Paper presented at the 1981 Lifelong Learning Research Conference, College Park, Maryland.

Ewert, D. Merrill (Nov., 1980). “Formal vs. Nonformal Education: The African Experience.” Paper presented at the 1980 American Association for Adult and Continuing Education annual conference, St. Louis, Missouri.

Ewert, D. Merrill (April, 1979). “Critical Consciousness and Social Structure in Rural Zaire.” Presented at the 1979 Adult Education Research Conference, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Ewert, D. Merrill, and Heisey, Nancy (Jan., 1979). “Nonformal Education in Africa: The Past as Prologue.” Presented at the 1979 Lifelong Learning Research Conference, College Park, Maryland.

Ewert, D. Merrill (April, 1978). “Critical Consciousness and Social Structure in Rural Zaire.” Paper presented at 1978 Adult Education Research Conference, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Conference Papers (Non-refereed):

Ewert, D. Merrill, and Clark, Peter D., and Eberts, Paul (Nov. 1993). “World View and Sustainable Community Development.” Paper presented at the 1993 AERDO Annual Conference, Lindale, TX.

Ewert, D. Merrill (October, 1987), “Adult Education for International Understanding.” Paper presented at the 1987 Annual Conference of the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education, Washington, D. C.

Ewert, D. Merrill, and Ngatiri, George (Oct., 1985). “Health Education in the Refugee Camp: A Case from Ethiopia.” Paper presented at the Northeastern Regional Conference of the National Council for International Health, Boston.

Book Reviews:

Ewert, D. Merrill (1983). Review of The Evaluation of Literacy Programmes: A Practical Guide, by Roger Couvert (UNESCO; Paris, 1979). In Lifelong Learning, Vol. 6, No. 5, pp. 22-24.

Ewert, D. Merrill (1982). Review of A Handbook of Adult Education for West Africa, Lalege Bowen and S. H. Olu Tomori (eds.). London: Hutchinson University Library for Africa, Hutchinson and Company, Ltd, 1979. In Adult Education: A Journal of Research and Theory, Vol. 32, No. 2, Winter, p. 108.

Research Reports:

Grace, Kristen A., Ewert, D. Merrill, and Eberts, Paul R. (1996). Religious Beliefs and Development Practice: A Comparative Perspective.” Final report submitted to The Pew Charitable Trusts. Ithaca, New York: Cornell University.

Ewert, D. Merrill, Clark, Peter D., and Eberts, Paul (1994). “Christians and a Needy World: Your Assessment.” Report submitted to foundations funding research on world view and community development. Ithaca, New York: Cornell University.

Ewert, D. Merrill, King, Jennifer A., and Lauderdale, Elliott (1993). “Managing Diversity Within Cooperative Extension.” Final report of a study examining The Potential Impacts of Diversity on the Cooperative Extension System: An Assessment of the Current Research Base. U.S. Department of Agriculture Contract No. 91-ESNP-1-5172.

Khan, Bernice, Ewert, D. Merrill and Trumbull, Deborah (1993). “An Assessment of the Nutritional Environment of School Food Services.” Final report presented to Cayuga-Tompkins Healthy Heart Program.

Ewert, D. Merrill (1991). “Regional and Local Economic Outlook: The Impact on Housing and Households.” Evaluation report, Cornell Cooperative Extension.

Ewert, D. Merrill, Whaples, Gene C., and Walker, Sharon M. (1980). Impact of ABE/GED: A Review of the Literature. Research report submitted to the Maryland State Department of Education as part of Project #10-300-80-05.

Dissertation:

Ewert, D. Merrill (1977). Freire’s Concept of Critical Consciousness and Social Structure in Rural Zaire. University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin.

Instructional Media:

Ewert, D. Merrill, Yarbrough, Paul, and Scherer, Cliff (1997). Developed national satellite teleconference on farmer decision-making and Cooperative Extension.

Ewert, D. Merrill (1987). Principles of Community Development. Graduate-level, audio-print independent study course package, produced by the Department of Extension and Continuing Education, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois.

Newspaper and Magazine Articles:

Have written numerous articles for newspapers, magazines, newsletters, and in-house publications on issues ranging from famine, relief, and international development, to the challenges facing higher education today.