Mr. Eric Von Fullgraf

Eric Von Fullgraf teaches the Cambridge Preparatory program, The Art of Leadership and many of the adult Thoughts Captive classes. He received his B.A. in English Literature from the University of South Florida and his M.A. in Liberal Studies from USF’s interdisciplinary program. As a writer/illustrator, he has a special interest in the relationship between literature and the visual arts. He wrote his master’s thesis on the illuminated printing of William Blake. Eric has written for The Mars Hill Review. In 2001 he was a winning contestant on ABC television’s Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Eric serves as a ruling elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA). Eric, his wife Britney and son Simon, live in Lakeland, Florida. "At their best, traditional teaching methods provide the student with a certain mastery over the subject of each class. Critical thinking skills, on the other hand give the student a framework for understanding and evaluating any subject he may encounter in life, even those not covered in his course work. Cambridge Study Center stresses the development of critical thinking skills based on biblical presuppositions, because we believe that education is not a stage of life but rather a way of life." - Eric Von Fullgraf

Eric Von Fullgraf's top ten books and films list.
 

Mr. Jeffrey Fullgraf

Jeffrey Fullgraf has been producing films since he was in high school in Lakeland, Florida. He studied Film, Television and Theater at the University of Central Florida and received a B.A. in Film. He has continued to write and produce creative movies while pursuing a career in industrial and corporate video. He has been a video producer for Lakeland Regional Medical Center since 1987. He is president/producer of Clarity Talking Pictures International which produces a mix of commercial and entertainment films. He received a Graduate Certificate in Creative Writing - Comic Scriptwriting, a program instructed by David Flaherty, former SCTV and Maniac Mansion writer/producer, at the Humber School of Creative and Performing Arts in Toronto, Ontario. He created and produced the comedy website “This is Swampwater, FL” and is currently developing the commercial, comedy web series “Attic Snapz.” Carolyn, his wife, of 23 years and four children Sylvia, 21, Alec, 19, Kurt, 19 and Meredith, 16.

Jeffrey Fullgraf's top ten books, films and music list. 

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Mr. Bruce Kirby

Bruce Kirby is the founder of Cambridge Study Center. He is a graduate of the University of South Florida (B. A., Religious Studies). For eleven years Bruce served at Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Lakeland, Florida where he began as Director of Youth Ministries, later serving as Director of Education and Administration. During his tenure at Covenant he began the "Reach Out Ministries of Evangelism" and "The Covenant Cup Olympics," a yearly ministry to young people in the Lakeland area. Since 1998 Bruce has served as the Director of Cambridge Study Center. He also served for four years as headmaster of a classical Christian school in Tampa. He has written and taught Thoughts Captive, is a four year interdisciplinary study of Literature and the Arts, Cultural Apologetics, Theology, Philosophy and History. He has lectured on the interpretation of film at The Christian Study Center at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Bruce has consulted and spoken on education topics for churches and schools. Bruce was a presenter on Parabolic Method, Constructive Duality and cultural engagement at the Association of Christian Schools International annual convention. In the community he has led "The Forum," a weekly seminar for business men and women studying the intersection of faith, vocation and culture. He also leads the "Cambridge Community Seminars" which hosts noted Christian scholars addressing front-page cultural issues. Additionally, Bruce leads "Film Fridays," a monthly screening and

discussion of important films. He is frequently a guest on radio shows where he discusses cultural trends and issues. He has completed a stage play based on the fairy tale The Light Princess by George MacDonald and a children's book, Hairy Scary. Bruce is the founder of CARES: Concerned About Responsible Education on Sex, a lobbying organization promoting abstinence, and has served on the boards of FISH: Florida International Student Hospitality, Alafia Youth Home and the New Creation Pregnancy Center. In his spare time he enjoys reading, golfing, fishing, writing poetry and the beach. He also loves fine films and enjoys watching football and basketball. Bruce and his wife Jane live in Land O'Lakes but will be returning to Lakeland the summer of 2010. They have three grown children and seven wonderful grandchildren.

"Cambridge is not a traditional school but a private Christian study center that teaches teenagers and adults that rigorous learning and rigorous faith are compatible. We believe that truth is not fractured into different spheres, as if something might be true in science and false in religion," Kirby says. He further explains the mission and goals of Cambridge: "Cambridge Study Center plays a key educational role in our community. Our primary goal is to provide Christian leadership for our world by offering culture-engaging educational options for high school, college and adult students. Together we seek to understand the importance of ideas and their significance for all that happens in the world. The study center believes that the obedient Christian seeks to transform the world by their godly participation in each sphere of culture."

- quoted from an article by Ledger Religion Editor, Cary McMullen

Mr. Van C. Kirby

Van Cannon Kirby attended the University of South Florida and Covenant College where he studied Humanities and English Literature. Cannon has taught photography at The Polk Museum of Art, Rochelle School of the Arts, McKeel Academy of Technology, Saint Paul’s Lutheran school and was the official photographer of Florida Dance Theatre. Cannon also does commercial video work for Lakeland Regional Medical Center and Barret Creative. His award winning photography and mixed media work have been exhibited at various central Florida galleries. His films have shown at several instate and out of state film festivals. Cannon teaches the visual and performing arts class, Art of Photography and Thoughts Captive. Recreationally Cannon enjoys family life, fishing,  and duck hunting . He lives with his wife and three children in Lakeland. "As Christians we are commanded to engage the culture in which we live. This requires that we study the culture, rather than retreat into isolation which seems to be the inclination of today's church. Cambridge Study Center students are taught to understand, yet not embrace non-Christian worldviews. Consequently Cambridge students are well equipped to communicate and defend Biblical truth."

- Van C. Kirby

Van Cannon Kirby's top ten books and films list.
 

Mrs. Leah Kirby

Leah Kirby was born in Chattanooga TN and moved to Lakeland eleven years ago when she married Cambridge instructor Van Cannon Kirby.  Leah is a full-time wife and mother. She and Cannon have three children, Fern (5 ½), Lyla Jane (4), and Finn (2).  In September Leah will begin a formal home-school education based primarily on the methods of Charlotte Mason, an English educational reformer of the late 19th century.  She also works part-time for Belvedere Studio as the Director of Marketing and Administration.  Before having children Leah was the Education Coordinator for the Polk Museum of Art and she taught 7th grade at Geneva Classical Academy, helping them found a theatre department.  Leah attended Covenant College and University of South Florida studying English Literature, Theatre, and Education.  However, completion of the Cambridge Thoughts Captive curriculum is the highlight of her educational career and she credits an intellectual and educational awakening to her time spent in Cambridge classes.  She now leads the Cambridge Study Center Book Club and is occasionally called upon to lead Cambridge Film Night or discussion in a Cambridge class.  She also teaches for Covenant Church women’s ministry. Leah’s extra pursuits include community theatre, reading, exercise, cooking and the study of educational methods and philosophies.

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Mr. Robert "Daniel" Macey

Robert “Daniel” Macey received his Bachelor of Science degree in Math, Physics, and Chemistry at Florida Southern College in 2000. After graduation, he taught Physical Science, Chemistry and AP Physics at George Jenkins High School. He then attended graduate school at the University of Central Florida where he completed his Master of Science in Physics.  For three years (Fall 2005 - Summer 2008), Daniel taught full time at Southeastern University; while at SEU, he taught courses in Physical Science, Physics I & II, Calculus II & III, Differential Equations, and Astronomy.  In the fall of 2008, he accepted a position as Head of the Math and Science Department at Berean Academy, a classical Christian school in Lutz, FL.  There he has taught Physics, Chemistry, and math courses ranging from Geometry to Advanced Calculus.  Daniel is currently in his third year as an adjunct faculty member with the Cambridge Study Center, where he has taught integrated Math-Science classes that include Algebra 1 – Conceptual Physics, Algebra 2 – Chemistry, and Geometry – Astronomy.  Daniel lives in Lakeland with his wife Mariana, son Raphael (10 months old), and their four dogs (Little Girl, Sandy, Grumpy, and Charley).  His daughter, Morgan, attends Geneva Classical Academy.

Mrs. Barbara Mesh Barbara Mesh provides Basic Guidance services to all Cambridge students and offers for a charge, specific guidance services which are made by appointment. Barbara has a Masters Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Florida State University. She and her husband Ron home schooled their two children: Aaron, a journalist in Portland OR, who graduated from Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia; and Kate, who earned a BA at New College of Florida in Sarasota and is currently finishing her Masters in Linguistics at Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts. In addition, Barbara and Ron were Co-Founders of Homeschoolers on the Ridge, a Polk County home school support group for which Barbara continues to serve as advisor. Both Aaron and Kate plus Barbara were students at Cambridge, which makes Barb's guidance assistance to current Cambridge families all the more valuable when discussing how to make the Cambridge experience fit into the system's language on a transcript at graduation time.

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Mr. Michael Strawbridge

Michael Strawbridge graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in Classics in 2008. His focus was on Latin and Greek. Michael is a former Cambridge student who took Latin, Greek, and logic, as well as Thoughts Captive, The Art of Leadership, and various workshops during his four years at the study center. He has remained involved at Cambridge over the years helping with fundraisers, attending fieldtrips, and leading occasional film night discussions. He is an active member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Lakeland, where he teaches the young people. Michael loves the study of languages, ancient history, and music. He is a self proclaimed Bob Dylan connoisseur. Michael lives in Lakeland with his wife Joy-Mari. Michael Strawbridge's top ten books, films and music list.