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Feb. 11, 2006
By JOHN CHARLES ROBBINS
Staff writer
A Hope College professor who produced a film on the Janet Chandler murder case will be leaving the college in May.
"No, I have not been fired. I am teaching through my contract in May," David B. Schock said Friday evening
from his home in Grand Haven.
"My department chairwoman would not support my reappointment for another three-year term," said Schock,
57, an associate professor of communication at the Holland college.
"Instead of fighting it ... I pulled the trigger and said, Fine. I won't reapply for my position. If you don't
want me here, why would I want to be here?'" he said.
He was referring to Deirdre "DeeDee" Johnston, associate professor of communication and chairperson of the
department. Phone calls to Johnston were not returned.
Schock said that the expiration of his employment has nothing to do with the Chandler murder case.
"Right now this detracts from important stuff, which is Janet Chandler," he said.
"This is not big news it's small potatoes. Compared to the Janet Chandler case, these cold case guys working
for two years, putting their hearts and souls into solving this case that's news," Schock said.
Not only is Schock upset that his employment situation will detract from the recently announced arrest in the 27-year-old
murder case, he is also disturbed that Hope College will get a black eye over this incident.
"This will hurt the college and that's not a good thing ... the college does not deserve to be hurt. DeeDee Johnston
does not deserve to be hurt or singled out.
"People don't always get along ... it's OK for people to disagree, and for people not to be reappointed. That's
perfectly OK. That's life," said Schock.
Schock has been working at Hope for six years, the first three years as a visiting professor, and the last three as
an associate professor under a contract system.
His contract expires May 12.
Because this involves a personnel matter and rules of confidentiality, Hope College doesn't have a chance to tell
its full side of the story, Schock said.
"I love Hope College. I think it's extraordinary ... I have loved teaching here. The students are wonderful,"
he said.
Schock said he's trying to keep a good sense of humor through this change and he doesn't have any future plans.
"I don't know what I'm going to do. I don't know what's ahead," Schock said.
A 2003 class under Schock's direction produced the video documentary "Who Killed Janet Chandler?" which
many credit with renewing interest in solving the decades-old murder mystery.
"The college has supported my documentary efforts entirely. These folks have been just wonderful," Schock
said.
Contact John Charles Robbins at (616) 546-4269 or john.robbins@hollandsentinel.com.
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