Andrews University associate professor in the Division of Architecture, Rhonda Root, is above all else, an artist. Creating art is natural for her. "When you’re doing something creative it’s like breathing, you’re not thinking about it," she said. "You just let it be you; however long it may take is insignificant." In the Division of Architecture, Root teaches architecture history and architectural rendering (illustrating architecture) courses where she puts her artistic interests and skills to use.

Root has won numerous awards for her art work. In 1982, she won a merit award at the 12th Biennial Michigan Regional Art Competition. She has also been awarded two distinguished achievement awards from the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

Since 1992, Root has been involved in an archaeological dig in Jordan called the Madaba Plains Project, which lasts for two months each summer. She serves as the director of art and architecture for the project. As such, Root’s duties include drawing objects that are found the way they would have looked when they were in use. Her role is to "show and reconstruct the past." Root is fascinated by this opportunity to work with ancient artifacts: "The last person that touched them was someone that lived 3,000 years ago!"

Root is happy for the opportunity to teach at Andrews. She said that the teachers and students in the Division of Architecture think of themselves as a family. "In this community, the teachers become the parents, the aunts and the uncles of their students," she said. This allows professors not only to reach their students on an academic level, but also to cater to other needs. Professors keep their doors open, and students come to them with their art work as well as personal issues they may need help with. Root said that the size of Andrews is definitely an advantage in facilitating this sort of interaction.

If there is one thing that Root tries to communicate to her students, it is the need for excellence in their work. "They need to do their absolute best, and they cannot compromise." In influencing her students’ view towards art, she encourages them to, "have a passion for it, love it."

Bjorn Karlman, student news writer