CCCU News
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Shorter College (GA) was approved as the 111th member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, while new leadership on the CCCU Board of Directors also was announced during the 33rd Annual Presidents Conference, held January 29-31, 2009.
Shorter College in Rome, Georgia is a Southern-Baptist affiliated liberal arts college who seeks to provide quality higher education, enabling and encouraging student commitment to active life-long learning, personal spiritual values, responsible citizenship, and community and societal leadership in a global context. For more information, go to www.shorter.edu.
Dr. Carl Zylstra, president of Dordt College (IA), was named the new Chair of the CCCU Board of Directors. Zylstra replaces Dr. Bob Brower, president of Point Loma Nazarene University (CA), who served as chair for one two-year term. In addition, Dr. Kim Phipps of Messiah College (PA) was named new vice chair and Dr. Mike O’Neal of Oklahoma Christian University (OK) was named as the new secretary/treasurer. He takes over for Dr. Jon Wallace, president of Azusa Pacific University (CA), who finished his second term on the board of directors.
“What a great time to become chair of the CCCU board. Our association president, Paul Corts, has set a firm course for the CCCU. The International Forum in Atlanta is only a year away. Membership is growing. Student programs are expanding. Overall, the Council provides an incomparable package of institutional and presidential support, leadership training, faculty development, student programming, and public policy advocacy. It’s not only an association but also a movement that can strengthen all of us involved in Christ-centered higher education. Chairing the board is both humbling and exciting,” Zylstra said.
Several presidents and higher education leaders concluded their terms on the board of directors and were thanked during the closing banquet. In addition to Brower and Wallace, Dr. Justin Cooper of Redeemer University College (Ancaster, ON, Canada); Dr. David Dockery of Union University (TN); Dr. Claude Pressnell, president of the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association; Gregory Baylor, director for the Center of Law & Religious Freedom, Christian Legal Society and Dr. Gary Cook, president of Dallas Baptist University (TX) completed their respective terms of service.
Newly elected board directors approved during the Annual Business Meeting are Dr. Sandra Gray, president of Asbury College (KY); Dr. Ron Manahan, president of Grace College and Theological Seminary (IN); Dr. Chip Pollard, president of John Brown University (AK) and Pat Taylor of Southwest Baptist University (MO).
In addition, Ed Blews, president of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Michigan and Scott Whitaker, Chief Operating Officer of Biotechnology Industry Organization were approved as non-presidential, At-Large Members.
The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities is a higher education association of 181 intentionally Christ-centered institutions around the world. There are now 111 member campuses in North America and all are fully-accredited, comprehensive colleges and universities with curricula rooted in the arts and sciences. In addition, 70 affiliate campuses from 24 countries are part of the CCCU. The Council’s mission is to advance the cause of Christ-centered higher education and to help its institutions transform lives by faithfully relating scholarship and service to biblical truth.
-30-
