As a Taylor alum just told me, “I didn’t see that coming.” Lindsay just resigned as president of Gordon College, a similar evangelical college. This is big news in the Christian college world.
Here is the Taylor press release
| Today we are excited to share with you that D. Michael Lindsay, Ph.D., has been named as the next President of Taylor University. Following a rigorous, competitive and international search, Dr. Lindsay was the unanimous selection of the University’s Presidential Search Committee, and his appointment was approved unanimously by the Taylor Board of Trustees. Dr. Lindsay is a gifted administrator and scholar whose deep personal faith and track record of servant leadership uniquely equips him to effectively serve in this critical position in the years to come. He has a broad understanding of the complexities facing Christian higher education, and we believe he will lead the University forward with humility, wisdom and courage. Dr. Lindsay excels in areas of innovation and creative adaptation, and his spiritual and intellectual development in cultivating and discipling the next generation of servant leaders is truly a calling. For the past 10 years, Dr. Lindsay has served as President of Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts, our fellow charter institution in the Christian College Coalition. During his tenure at Gordon College, the school experienced record years of opportunity and growth, representing banner results in terms of increases in fundraising and endowment; campus diversity, academic and student program development; sponsored research; athletic success; student satisfaction; and faith expression on campus. Gordon recently ended its most successful fiscal year ever, and this spring is completing the most ambitious and successful fundraising campaign in its history, including the largest gift ever given to a Christian college. Last fall, Dr. Lindsay announced his intention to step down as Gordon’s president effective June 30, 2021. Prior to his service at Gordon, Dr. Lindsay was a member of the sociology faculty at Rice University, where he won multiple awards both for his teaching and academic research. He is the author of two dozen scholarly publications and numerous books, including Faith in the Halls of Power, which was nominated for the nonfiction Pulitzer Prize in 2007, and his award-winning View from the Top, which has been translated into Chinese and Japanese. His forthcoming book, Hinge Moments, will be released April 27, 2021, by InterVarsity Press. The Presidential Search Committee, consisting of representative faculty, Parent’s Council, alumni and board members, officially commenced its work in August 2020 in partnership with the executive search firm Jobfit Matters. They began with survey results from the Taylor community regarding key character traits and leadership qualities necessary for the next University president. In addition to seeking an individual with a personal, growing and contagious walk with the Lord, the Search Committee also sought candidates with the ability to articulate a compelling vision for Taylor University that is consistent with our mission. They carefully and lovingly listened to the Taylor community before embarking on this journey. Throughout the process, the Committee emphasized spiritual discernment and prayer, and it was clear that those who love Taylor were prayerfully supporting this important effort. Dr. Lindsay will enter the Office of the President on Aug. 16, 2021, assuming the role from previous Taylor Board Chair Paige Comstock Cunningham, Ph.D., J.D., who has served as Interim President of the University since Aug. 15, 2019. The Taylor University Board, faculty and campus community are extremely grateful to Dr. Cunningham for her outstanding leadership, steady governance and faithful commitment to fulfilling the vision of the University. Not only have the Institution’s foundational positions and policies been strengthened during her tenure, but she provided stability in a critical time with the COVID pandemic. All of us will be forever grateful for her exceptional and sacrificial service to our alma mater. As Dr. Lindsay steps into this role, his extensive experience and strong track record of success meets all the desired requirements for the next Taylor University president. A scholar, public intellectual, author and advocate for Christian orthodoxy, he has conducted far-reaching studies on leadership and the role of evangelical Christianity in American culture. Lindsay is also a visionary who excels in strategic planning and in marshalling resources and people to bring those plans to completion. Dr. Lindsay earned his Ph.D. in sociology from Princeton University and graduate theological degrees from Wycliffe Hall at Oxford University and Princeton Theological Seminary. He is a summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Baylor University where he has been named Outstanding Young Alumnus. Dr. Lindsay and his wife Rebecca have been married for 25 years and are the proud parents of three daughters, Elizabeth (17), Caroline (10) and Emily (10). Rebecca is an accomplished teacher and speaker who will serve as Taylor’s Ambassador for the University. Dr. Lindsay shared the following with us upon the announcement of his appointment: “Taylor is one of the world’s foremost Christian institutions, and I thank God for the wisdom, strength and faithfulness that has characterized the School’s leadership for decades. We are humbled to be called by God and deeply honored by the Board’s selection to serve the University, advance its distinctive mission in providing excellent, Christ-centered higher education and strengthen its promising prospects for future growth and development. “Throughout this process, as the Lord has continued to draw our hearts to the Taylor community, Rebecca and I have been so impressed with every member of the Taylor family we have gotten to know and look forward to meeting many more in the months ahead,” Dr. Lindsay added. “I also look forward to working with Interim President Paige Comstock Cunningham for a smooth transition and to getting to better know this special place, which is beloved by so many.” You can learn more about Dr. Lindsay on the Taylor website. The Taylor University Board of Trustees enthusiastically welcomes Dr. Lindsay, Rebecca and their three daughters to our campus community. We look forward to working together to facilitate his entrepreneurial vision of leading, empowering and equipping a thriving team to move creatively and strategically into the future. Chris Goeglein, M.B.A. Board Chair, Presidential Search Committee Co-chair Manuel Rosado Board Vice-Chair, Presidential Search Committee Co-chair |