Dr. Joseph Saggio Named Professor Emeritus

October 19, 2023

Phoenix, Arizona

Keilah Villa

Dr. Joseph Saggio is a familiar face around the campus of SAGU American Indian College. After nearly 30 years of outstanding service to this campus, he was named Professor Emeritus in a ceremony during chapel on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. Dr. Paul Brooks, newly retired Vice President of Academics at SAGU, read the following resolution for Dr. Saggio:

“WHEREAS, Dr. Joseph Saggio has served as a professor, administrator, missionary, and pastor in the Assemblies of God for over 40 years;

WHEREAS, Dr. Joseph Saggio has been dedicated to Assemblies of God higher education for 30 years to educate the men and women in our AG institutions of higher education including Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU/SAGU AIC), Northwestern University, the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, and various Church-based Bible schools;

WHEREAS, Dr. Joseph Saggio’s illustrious career also includes service as a faculty member, an Academic Dean, Administrative Dean, and Executive Vice President for SAGU AIC for 27 years;

WHEREAS, Dr. Joseph Saggio was the recipient of the “Outstanding Service and Leadership Award” (SAGU 2006);

WHEREAS, Dr. Joseph Saggio’s commitment to scholarship is reflected in his numerous writings, articles, book chapters, conferences and presentations; and his involvements as a reader for Ph.D. and D.Min. dissertations and masters degree theses;

WHEREAS, Dr. Joseph Saggio is reputed for developing the definitive history of SAGU AIC (American Indian College: A Witness to the Tribes) (read it here); and

WHEREAS, Dr. Joseph Saggio has demonstrated a high sense of dedication, integrity, and professionalism in his ministry to help establish men and women for Kingdom work, and has mentored men and women who now serve as Church and District Officials, Pastors, Missionaries, Professors, Teachers, Business professionals, and various other vocations;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Southwestern Assemblies of God University confer upon Dr. Joseph Saggio the title of Professor Emeritus with all its rights and privileges. July 1, 2023.”

After this, Dr. Brooks and President Bridges presented Dr. Saggio with a plaque to recognize his accomplishments. The plaque will be displayed in the Lee Academic Center.

Dr. Saggio has been involved in ministry, writing, and higher education for nearly forty years having taught at six different institutions as well as served for ten years as a youth pastor and lead pastor. While at SAGU AIC, he has served as the Executive Vice President for the SAGU AIC Campus, Administrative Dean of the College, Professor, and Special Assistant to the Campus President. An educator with a pastor’s heart, Dr. Saggio cares passionately for students’ academic and spiritual development and believes that the two should work together. He and his wife Nancy have a great love for Native people and have grown to appreciate their tribal contributions and value systems that greatly honor experience, balance, wisdom, and practical knowledge. Dr. Saggio is passionately committed to equipping Native Americans and others for a life of Christian service in order to fulfill their destiny.

We thank Dr. Saggio for his commitment to SAGU American Indian College for all these years. Please join us in continued prayer for his health and future endeavors.

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Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) American Indian College (AIC) is the nation’s only regionally accredited, private Christian college serving primarily Native American students. Established in 1957, AIC now serves nearly 25 tribes as well as other ethnicities.