James A. Sprow
Associate Professor of Business
jsprow@corban.edu


B.A. Economics, University of Washington, 1973
M.B.A., Stanford University, 1977

 

 

  • I came to Corban in 2004. I wanted to teach at a small, Christian college where I could share my gifts and experience in business with students and really get to know them over the time they spend in school, and later.  Having taught at both public universities and Christian colleges, I enjoy the supportive atmosphere and the rock-solid values at Corban.

    I know from experience that the quality of education is determined more by the relationships one develops than the size or resources of the institution.  Our faculty are distinguished by the genuine commitment they share to building character and equipping our students to be well-rounded ambassadors for Christ in the business community. 

    Our students are accountable to us and to each other, and we take our commitment to them very seriously. In my experience, a student could pass through four years at a large state school without ever having a meaningful relationship with a faculty member. And, many colleges and universities actively undermine our Christian values while we’re there. At Corban, committed Christians seek to build each other up, create value and support values.

    Our entire business faculty has had careers in business before coming to Corban. We have a perspective and experiences that add to the classroom an important dimension and understanding of the way things work.  I owned my own manufacturing business for seven years and continue to consult to local businesses.

  • My wife Terry and I attend Salem Alliance Church. We are active in a wonderful small group, a shepherding group, and are leading a Blended Family Ministry on Saturday nights. We hope to help other families who are facing some of the challenges we did in raising our six children. In the past I’ve enjoyed memberships in Rotary International and Bible Study Fellowship.  More recently I’ve been involved in Students In Free Enterprise. 

  • I’ve published articles in the area of financial management, international business, and investments in journals including The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Financial Practice and Education, and the American Association of Individual Investors Journal. 

  • My wife Terry and I were married in 1986 and have raised six children.  We came to Christ in 1988 while I was working on a Ph.D. in Finance at Washington State University, and Terry was working and struggling to raise our family. 

    We lived for 14 years in Holland, Michigan, where I taught and worked in private business, while Terry managed our home, worked on staff at Central Wesleyan Church, and we together began a Blended Family ministry. Over the years we’ve enjoyed camping and canoeing, gardening and home improvements, and photography.

    Now that we’re grandparents for the first time, we’re enjoying being closer to our three children in the Seattle area, but we like to get back to Michigan where we have a small “summer home” and where we can see our son in New York City and our daughter in Indianapolis more frequently. I also teach in the Masters program at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids.