In a delightful twist this holiday season, Dr. Chance Glenn, a distinguished engineering professor at Alabama A&M University, has stepped out of the classroom and into the recording studio — all within the confines of his engineering lab. His new Christmas album, “A Christmas Gift,” is now available on popular streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, showcasing a side of Glenn many may not expect.
Dr. Glenn’s musical journey began long before his academic accolades. In 1999, he released his first CD, “The Praise Project – First Fruits,” which earned a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist in Contemporary Christian Music the following year. This remarkable achievement began a versatile career, but after releasing his second album, “Jesus is Faithful,” in 2005, Glenn shifted his focus to academia. With a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Maryland and master’s and doctoral degrees from Johns Hopkins University, Glenn has excelled as a leader in engineering education.
Beyond The Music
His impressive career includes serving as the Dean of the College of Engineering, Technology, and Physical Sciences at Alabama A&M and as Provost at the University of Houston-Victoria, though he is presently on sabbatical. Despite these demanding roles, music has always remained integral to his life.
Growing up in church, Glenn’s passion for singing started young. In the 90s, he took on the role of worship leader at a church in Maryland, where he contributed to the creation of original songs reflective of the church’s ministry approach. However, a simple yet profound request from his wife Marsha reignited his musical aspirations and led to the creation of “A Christmas Gift.”
“This album is really my Christmas gift to her,” Glenn shared warmly. “For 34 years, she’s been my light. It felt fitting to create something for her that could shine a little light in these dark times.”
To fulfill his wife’s wish, Glenn transformed his engineering laboratory in the Bond Engineering Building into a makeshift recording studio. Even amidst a rigorous academic schedule, including leading a recent student interview with NASA astronaut Dr. Jeanette Epps upon her return from a seven-month mission aboard the International Space Station, Glenn found time to pour his heart into this project.
“The holidays are a time for reflection and connection,” he expressed. “I hope this album brings a little joy to everyone who listens.”