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Tom Skinner was one of the most powerful messengers of the 20th century. Thousands of people have had their lives changed as a result of exposure to his unique message of hope, renewal, reconciliation, and personal motivation. Tom Skinner was born and raised in Harlem in the city of New York. As a former street gang leader, his life was radically transformed by the power of God. He brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to his teaching. He traveled the world over to counsel with leaders in government, business, sports and education. For over eight years, he served as the chaplain to the Washington Redskins football team. He also served as team motivator for the New York Yankees, the New York Giants, and the New York Jets. Unsatisfied with the injustice of the educational system, Tom established a high technology learning center which served over 300 inner city youth and adults in Newark, New Jersey. God's investment in Tom has born much fruit as people who were taught and inspired by him are now teaching others. Tom passed in June 1994. Yet, his legacy continues through the work of Skinner Leadership Institute, a ministry he co-founded with his wife Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner; through his writings, video and audio messages; and through the lives of current, emerging, student and urban youth leaders who are making a positive difference in our world today.

- Adapted from the Skinner Leadership Institute 

Tom Trevethan was one of InterVarsity’s most gifted Bible expositors and he authored the books The Beauty of God’s Holiness (InterVarsity Press) and Our Joyful Confidence: The Lordship of Jesus in Colossians (DILL Press). Tom earned an MA from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and served as a Campus Staff Minister at the University of Michigan for many years serving both students and faculty throughout his career. Tom most recently served on the InterVarsity Faculty Ministry Leadership Team as an Associate Director for Research and Publications, writing many resources for faculty and grad students and contributing to the Lamp Post faculty newsletters for several years (now Campus Calling). Tom retired in 2014 after 47 years of service with InterVarsity. He lived in Ann Arbor, MI with his wife Barbara, where they enjoyed many years of singing with their church and with the local Choral Union which won two Grammy Awards in 2005. Our hearts go out to Barb and their family upon learning of Tom's passing in October 2023. His voice, in both writing as well as singing, will be greatly missed.

Steve Robert Simmons is Morse-Alumni Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota. He served for 32 years in the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics where he taught and conducted research on topics ranging from plant physiology to agroecology. He continues to serve as a mentor for graduate students and pre-tenured faculty through the university’s Center for Teaching and Learning Services. In his retirement, Steve is writing creative nonfiction and is working on a book of personal essays. He and his wife, Mary Ann, have three adult daughters and a one year-old grandson, all of whom live in Seattle, WA.

Nancy Thomas served on the Faculty Ministry Leadership Team, focusing on training staff, spiritual formation, and discipleship. Nan also works with faculty at Union University, a Christian liberal arts university in West Tennessee. Over the past several years she has also served as the Associate Director of Faculty Development and occasional adjunct professor of political science at Union University. A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Nan received a Masters of Arts degree in American Politics from The Ohio State University. After working as a policy aid in the Ohio Governor’s Office for several years, she joined InterVarsity staff and developed a ministry to graduate students and faculty at OSU.