1. James P. Werbaneth
Gibsonia PA
September 6, 2016
Good Afternoon:
I’ve known Scott for over fifteen years, going back to his days as an active duty United States
Navy chaplain, and then into his later civilian ministry.
As an academic myself, an assistant professor of political science and a military historian, I can
vouch for Scott’s intellectual curiosity about a wide a range of subjects, including politics, history,
and of special interest to him, the culture and people of Japan.
As I’ve known him, he has demonstrated not just a willingness, but an eagerness, to know and
work with people from widely differing belief systems and backgrounds,
especially as an naval officer. He does not give diversity mere lip service, but puts it into action
as a goal and as a means to achieve excellence.
Maybe the thing that impresses me most is a deep personal integrity. In his ministry, Scott
exhibited that commitment to appraising people by the content of their character when it was
neither safe nor popular.
This included outreach beyond the “in group” of his congregation in order to grow it, putting his
beliefs into practice. When it would have been comfortable and safe to give in to the prejudices
of others, Scott did not.
It is certainly my honor to recommend Scott Shafer for any position, and I can consider it a
privilege to support a man of ability and character in such a way. I recommend him strongly.
Sincerely,
JamesP. Werbaneth,MA
Assistant Professor of Political Science, American Public University System Adjunct Instructor of
Political Science and History, La Roche College