Schedule
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Wednesday, January 29
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
REGISTRATION/INFORMATION DESK
L'Enfant Ballroom Foyer
7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
EXHIBITOR SHOWCASE
Solarium
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
L'Enfant Ballroom Foyer
9:00 AM - 9:20 AM
WELCOME & DEVOTIONAL (Closed to Media)
L'Enfant Ballroom
Welcome:
Dan Boone, Chair, Board of Directors, Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU)
David Hoag, President, Council for Christian Colleges & Universities
Music led by:
Stephen Newby, Lev H. Prichard III Endowed Chair in the Study of Black Worship Professor of Music, Baylor University
9:20 AM - 10:15 AM
CONGRESSIONAL PERSPECTIVES ON HIGHER EDUCATION (Closed to Media)
L'Enfant Ballroom
10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
MORNING NETWORKING & REFRESHMENT BREAK
L'Enfant Ballroom Foyer
10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
OPENING KEYNOTE
L'Enfant Ballroom
“Having Faith in Democracy”
Historically, faith-based organizations have played a pivotal role in addressing intractable challenges both locally and nationally, building connection and rallying resources to those in need. Faith-based higher education institutions are foundational to the formation of individuals of virtue who are equipped to tackle these challenges, leading society into an opportunity-rich environment for flourishing. And yet, in today’s climate, many seek to bar faith from civil discourse. In this session, Romanita Hairston, CEO of the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, will discuss the important role that faith-based institutions of higher education play in our civil and civic ecosystems, and in the formation of leaders whose faith enables them to serve and partner with others, meeting the needs of today and preparing for the challenges of tomorrow.
Romanita Hairston, CEO and Executive Director, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
HILL PREPARATION: COURTS, CONGRESS AND THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH
L'Enfant Ballroom
Facilitator:
Joy Mosley, Vice President of Government & Strategic Relations, Council for Christian Colleges & Universities
12:00 PM
LUNCH ON OWN
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
HILL VISITS
Presidents visit Capitol Hill for CCCU-arranged meetings with their congressional members and staffers, where they will have the opportunity to share the value and policy priorities of Christian higher education.
12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENTS & GUESTS LUNCHEON (By Invitation Only | Closed to Media)
Mount Vernon
Hosts:
David Hoag, President, CCCU
Shirley Roels, Executive Director, International Network for Christian Higher Education
12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
PRESIDENTIAL SPOUSE MEET & GREET
Archives
Facilitators:
Barb Hoekstra, Professor of Education, Dordt University
Joanna Hoag, President’s Spouse, CCCU
Brian Carey, President’s Spouse, Friends University
5:00 - 5:30 PM
GALA WELCOME RECEPTION
L'Enfant Ballroom Foyer
5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
GALA DINNER: CELEBRATING A DECADE OF GOD'S GUIDANCE AND GRACE
L'Enfant Ballroom
From 2014-24, Shirley V. Hoogstra served as the seventh president of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities. Join with members and friends of the CCCU to celebrate God's enduring faithfulness during her decade of service and to thank Shirley and her husband, Jeff.
Thursday, January 30
7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
REGISTRATION/INFORMATION DESK
L'Enfant Ballroom Foyer
7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
EXHIBITOR SHOWCASE
Solarium
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
L'Enfant Ballroom Foyer
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
COMMISSIONING SERVICE FOR DR. DAVID HOAG
L'Enfant Ballroom
Embracing Our Mission: Navigating Faith, Learning and Leadership
Join with CCCU members, friends and the higher education community as the CCCU commissions Dr. Hoag to the role of CCCU president. An interview with David and his wife, Joanna Hoag, will follow.
Facilitator:
Phil Schubert, President, Abilene Christian University and Vice-Chair, CCCU Board
Commissioning Prayer:
Adam Wright, President, Dallas Baptist University
Charges:
Eric Hogue, President, Colorado Christian University | Advocacy
Deana Porterfield, President, Seattle Pacific University | Strengthening Membership
Calvin Troup, President, Geneva College | Faith Integration and Leadership
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
MORNING NETWORKING & REFRESHMENT BREAK
L'Enfant Ballroom Foyer
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
SPONSOR SESSIONS
Sovereign Insurance - Gallery 1
Capin Crouse - Gallery 2
Dynamic Campus - Gallery 3
Slingshot - Gallery 4
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
PLENARY SESSION 1
L'Enfant Ballroom
When Faith Disappoints: The Gap Between What We Believe and What We Experience
In this session, based on Lisa Fields's book When Faith Disappoints, we will explore the core pain points that contribute to doubt—both for the next generation and for our own journeys as leaders. As college presidents, you not only shape the faith of tomorrow’s leaders, but you may also grapple with your own challenges of personhood, peace, provision, pleasure, purpose, protection and power. Together, we will examine how these pain points can deepen our understanding of faith and explore how to create spaces where faith can be both tested and strengthened.
Speaker:
Lisa Fields, Founder, Jude 3 Project
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD LUNCHEON
L'Enfant Ballroom
The Young Alumni Award is one of the highlights of the annual Presidents Conference as the CCCU honors a young alum from a member institution whose work embodies the values of Christian higher education. The 2025 Young Alumni Award winner will be announced later this year. During this luncheon, the award winner will be presented with the award and will share their remarks.
1:30 PM - 2:15 PM
PLENARY SESSION 2
L'Enfant Ballroom
How to Tell a True Story: Racism, Poverty, Family Trauma and Conversion: What I Learned While Writing How Far to the Promised Land
Speaker:
Esau McCaulley, Jonathan Blanchard Chair of New Testament, Wheaton College
2:15 PM - 2:30 PM
AFTERNOON NETWORKING AND REFRESHMENT BREAK
L'Enfant Ballroom
2:15 PM - 3:00 PM
PRESIDENTS BUSINESS MEETING (CLOSED TO MEDIA)
L'Enfant Ballroom
3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
PLENARY SESSION 3
L'Enfant Ballroom
How to Successfully Navigate Campus Closures or Mergers
Hear the story of a successful merger between two different yet like-minded institutions. This story reveals the impact of a tenacious commitment to ending well and the importance of imagination when the institution’s journey takes both expected and unexpected turns.
Speakers:
Silas McCormick, Former President, Lincoln Christian University
Matthew Proctor, President, Ozark Christian College
3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
PRESIDENTIAL SPOUSE MEET & GREET
Archives
Facilitators:
Barb Hoekstra, Professor of Education, Dordt University
Joanna Hoag, President’s Spouse, CCCU
Brian Carey, President’s Spouse, Friends University
4:30 PM
OPEN EVENING/DINNER ON YOUR OWN
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
WESLEYAN CONNECTION GATHERING (By Invitation Only)
Friday, January 31
Please Note the Following:
- Hotel checkout is at 12:00 PM ET. Once you check out, you may store your luggage at the bell stand until your departure.
- Lunch will not be provided on Friday, January 31.
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
REGISTRATION/INFORMATION DESK
L'Enfant Ballroom Foyer
7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
EXHIBITOR SHOWCASE
Solarium
8:00 AM - 8:45 AM
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
L'Enfant Ballroom Foyer
8:45 AM - 9:45 AM
WORSHIP & DEVOTION
L'Enfant Ballroom
God’s Faithfulness in a Time of War and Uncertainty
Speaker:
Oliver Hersey, Jerusalem University College
Music led by:
Stephen Newby, Lev H. Prichard III Endowed Chair in the Study of Black Worship Professor of Music, Baylor University
9:45 AM - 10:30 AM
PLENARY SESSION 4
L'Enfant Ballroom
Identifying and Explaining the Christian College Difference
Making the case for the value of Christian higher education requires knowing and articulating what makes Christian colleges unique. Two new resources, the Almanac of Christian Higher Education and the CAFF College Guide, were recently created to meet this need. Drawing upon these resources, we will consider trend data for key dimensions of performance among CCCU institutions to better understand both the sector at large and the variety within it. We will also reflect on strategies for communicating these distinctives to prospective families and the general public.
Speaker:
P. Jesse Rine, Executive Director, Center for Academic Faithfulness & Flourishing (CAFF)
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM
NETWORKING AND REFRESHMENT BREAK
L'Enfant Ballroom Foyer
10:45 AM - 11:45 PM
PRESIDENTS PANEL
L'Enfant Ballroom
Things I’d Do Again—But Other Things?… Maybe Not.
This panel represents decades of service to Christian higher education. Each president will share stories of success and failure, offering a combined wisdom and perspective sure to inspire and enrich.
Moderator:
Barry Corey, President, Biola University
Panelists:
Ronald Ellis, President, California Baptist University
Stephen Fogerty, President, Alphacrucis College
Kim Phipps, President, Messiah University
Chip Pollard, President, John Brown University
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM
CLOSING REMARKS & TIME OF PRAYER for Our Schools, Our Country and the World
L'Enfant Ballroom
Facilitators:
David Hoag, President, CCCU
Dan Boone, President, Trevecca Nazarene University and Chair, CCCU Board
CCCU Presidents
Music led by:
Stephen Newby, Lev H. Prichard III Endowed Chair in the Study of Black Worship Professor of Music, Baylor University