Residence Life Staff

Grant Hall and Childs Hall are each managed by a residence hall director and assistant director and are staffed with four student resident assistants (RAs). Satellite houses are staffed with an RA under the direction of the appropriate residence hall director and the housing coordinator.

Edith van Zyverden
Director of Grant Hall

B.A., Bryn Athyn College, M.S., Chestnut Hill College

Edith has been the director of Grant Hall since 1996 when she was raising her three high school and college-age children and completing a masters degree in Psychology. Now that her children are grown and raising their own families, she enjoys the opportunity to focus her energies on a variety of interests. Along with enjoying being a part of the lives of the women in Grant Hall, she teaches psychology here at Bryn Athyn College, and is a private practice therapist.

Fredrik Bryntesson
Director of Childs Hall

B.A., Bryn Athyn College, B.Sc. University of Greenwich, Ph.D. University of London

A native Swede, Dr. Bryntesson completed his military service in Sweden before enrolling at Bryn Athyn College in 1990. As a college student he served as an RA in Childs Hall while majoring in biology and history. After graduating from Bryn Athyn College, he lived in the UK where he earned a doctoral degree in molecular biology. In 2001 he returned to teach biology at Bryn Athyn College, fulfilling an ambition inspired by his college days. While his main field is molecular biology, he also teaches microbiology, physiology, and introductory biology. He loves working in a New Church environment, both in the classroom and in Childs Hall, where he applies the religion he loves to his subject and to his life. Dr. Bryntesson has served as director of Childs Hall since 2004 after serving as the assistant director from 2001 to 2003.

Nina Cooper Dewees
Assistant Director of Grant Hall

A.A., Bryn Athyn College, B.S., College of New Jersey, M.S., Saint Joseph's University

After being a full time faculty member at Bryn Athyn College for several years, Nina "retired" to be a full time mother of her two little girls. After less than a year, she returned to the campus in the capacity of assistant director of Grant Hall in 2001. She just couldn't stay away from college students! She enjoys staying connected with students in this essential time of change and growth in their lives. Nina has recently returned to coaching the BAC women's volleyball team, which is invigorating. She and her husband Niles and their now four young children appreciate the opportunity to get to know so many varied young women from across the globe in the residence hall setting.

John Walko
Assistant Director of Childs Hall

A.A., Bryn Athyn College, B.S., West Virginia University, M.A., Academy of the New Church Theological School, J.D., Villanova University School of Law

John has served as the assistant director of Childs Hall since 2004 after working for the College's Development Office in 2003. When he was a student at Bryn Athyn College, John served as an RA in Childs Hall and received his Associates Degree in History and Social Sciences. As assistant director, John works with the resident director to enforce College policy, promote an atmosphere of student living supportive of learning, and ensure the health and welfare of the residents. He enjoys the collegial atmosphere found in Childs Hall, and is a practicing attorney. He can be reached at john.walko@brynathyn.edu with any questions about resident life at Childs Hall.

Childs Hall Resident Assistants

Ryan Cook
Junior, Interdisciplinary Major in Psychology and Religion

During his sophomore year Ryan served as an RA in Stuart Hall, the dormitory for the Academy of the New Church Boys School across the road from Bryn Athyn College. He has played with two college rock bands: Bryn Athyn College Rocks The Beatles (which premiered during his sophomore year) and Blue Jeans (which plays mostly blues music). Both bands have played benefit concerts for the Bryn Athyn College Science Building Fund. In his spare time he also practices for Bryn Athyn College Rocks Creedence Clearwater Revival. He loves his RA job, enjoys meeting new people, and looks forward to graduating in 2009.

Edwin Glenn
Sophomore

Though Edwin has not yet declared a major, he is interested in chemistry. A native of Bryn Athyn, he likes being an RA because it encourages him to "hang around in the lounge and get to know all the guys better."

Tony Griffin
Junior, History Major

In addition to serving as an RA in Childs Hall, Tony is an active member of Student Government and the Social Committee, serving as Sports Representative to both organizations. He is also the Sports Information Officer and Sports Webpage Officer for the College. Tony hopes to use his history degree from Bryn Athyn College to pursue a degree in Baseball/Sports History.

Dylan Odhner
Junior, History Major

Dylan is returning for his second year as an RA at Childs Hall this winter. He spent the fall term doing an internship in New Zealand, working with foster children at Hope House Children's Trust. Of his position as an RA Dylan says "I was an RA at Childs Hall last year and I had the honor of being titled 'RA Justice.' I hope that I will be able to again display all of the qualities that are so deeply ingrained in such a prestigious title."

Grant Hall Resident Assistants

Carina Heinrichs
Senior, History Major

Once she completes her degree in history, Carina plans on either teaching or working in advertising. Born in Bryn Athyn, at the age of three Carina moved to West Palm Beach, Florida with her family, where she lived until she moved back to Bryn Athyn for college. She works at Glencairn Museum as an Education Intern and enjoys being involved in college activities and singing in her spare time. She loved being an RA because it gives her numerous opportunities to be involved with the social life of the college and because she loves how much it allows her to help people.

Lamar Odhner
Junior, History Major

In addition to serving as an RA in Grant Hall, Lamar works at Glencairn Museum as an Education Intern. Last year she worked as an Education Intern at Grumblethorpe, an historic house in Germantown, Pennsylvania. She is also a member of the Bryn Athyn Cathedral Choir.

Stephanie Righetti
Sophomore

After receiving her Associate in Arts degree from Bryn Athyn College, Steph plans to transfer to art school for interior design in her native Washington State. In between her RA duties she works at the nearby AllWays Cafe and enjoys painting, music, singing, dance, and sports such as volleyball, tennis, lacrosse, and golf. She also spends time with her older brother, who is currently enrolled in the Academy of the New Church Theological School.

Ayisha Synnestvedt
Sophomore

When she is not doing schoolwork or fulfilling her RA duties Ayisha enjoys writing, drawing, and watching movies. She also babysits, works at College Grounds, and is co-editor of BACON Bits.