Welcome, Mr. President |
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The selection of Azusa Pacific University’s 16th president bore little resemblance to the history-making spectacle that unfolded this last November within the United States. Not fraught with partisanship and bitterness, this search process was born of a desire to seek broad representation, gain candid feedback, and ultimately, determine which qualified candidate would be best suited to lead APU into its second century. The resulting recommendation of the 14-person Presidential Search Committee to the Board of Trustees exemplified the culmination of this thoughtful process. By unanimous consent, the board sanctioned the committee’s choice and named Jon R. Wallace, DBA, president and chief executive officer, effective November 27, 2000. This action followed a five-month, nationwide search process managed by People Management, a respected Christian executive search firm. “I am pleased with the success and rigor of the search process, its member representation, and the involvement of the Azusa Pacific University community. Dr. Wallace will not only lead APU in the next step of its development, but also delineate the scope of the university’s contribution to higher education,” said Ray Rood, search committee chair and board vice chair. As an advocate of the university’s 101-year mission to train men and women for lives of Christian service, Wallace provides strategic, developmental, and financial leadership; promotes scholastic excellence and rigor; and integrates a holistic approach to education that emphasizes each student’s spiritual, intellectual, emotional, social, occupational, and physical growth and development. The Board of Trustees believes that Wallace possesses not only the requisite depth of executive experience and critical competencies to thrive as president, but also a keen understanding of the compelling need for a Christ-centered institution of higher education that fosters scholarship, facilitates service, and builds community. “Dr. Wallace’s vision and dreams for Azusa Pacific, coupled with his experience and qualifications, clearly identified him as this university’s next president,” said Donald Marshburn, chair of the Board of Trustees. “The board knows Dr. Wallace’s heart and passion for Azusa Pacific University, respects his unquestionable faith, and affirms his desire to put God First in this mission-critical leadership role.” Wallace must now act upon his vision for God-honoring excellence in Christian higher education; direct the strategic planning process; build relationships that promote collaboration and partnership; facilitate fundraising endeavors; and lead the senior administrative team in a manner that expands influence and increases effectiveness. Noted for his teamwork and openness, this 25-year APU veteran brings an entrepreneurial vision reflective of his Kingdom approach to management, program development, and expansion, while advancing academics, service, and a philosophy of lifelong learning. |
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Wallace assumed the role of acting president July 1, 2000, following the retirement of Richard E. Felix, Ph.D. In that capacity, he added the duties of president to his responsibilities as chief operating officer (COO). Prior to that appointment, Wallace served as executive vice president, filling the COO function and supervising the nine members of the President’s Cabinet (1997-2000). As COO, Wallace oversaw the university’s day-to-day operations, chaired the President’s Cabinet, represented the president in his absence, provided leadership to the chapel team, developed and executed the annual university-wide leadership retreat, and offered supervision to the following areas: student life, undergraduate and graduate admissions, and the Institute for Outreach Ministries. Previous positions at the university include: senior vice president (1995-97), vice president for student life (1991-93), dean of students (1981-91), associate dean of students (1979-81), director of auxiliary services (1978-79), and director of security and housing (1976-78).
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