Presidential Search Memo, May 11, 2007
Dear Asbury Community,
The Board of Trustees for Asbury Theological Seminary met for their regular spring meeting on May 7-8, and make the following announcement related to the Presidential Search:
1. They approved the beginning of the Presidential Search process.
2. The Board approved expanding the search process to include the Asbury Seminary community and all who love Asbury. Expanding the process includes more representation on the Search Committee from Kentucky and Florida (students, faculty, staff, and trustees) and open meetings with these groups as well as alumni. They will be asked to participate in describing the distinctives of Asbury Theological Seminary and the qualifications needed in a President.
3. The Search Committee will contract the services of a professional search firm who will assist throughout the Presidential search process. Three search firms have been identified and are currently being interviewed. A decision to select a search firm is expected by the end of June.
The following persons were elected by the Board of Trustees and have agreed to serve on the Presidential Search Committee:
Ms. Tammy Cessna – Staff Mr. John McNairy - Trustee
Dr. Joe Dongell - Faculty, Wilmore Dr. Ed Robb - Trustee
Dr. Steve Harper – Administrator Mrs. Karen Thomas – Trustee
Dr. Brian Russell - Faculty, Orlando Dr. Jim Smith - Trustee (Co-chair)
Mr. Gabriel Tait - Student Dr. Dan Johnson - Trustee (Co-chair)
Rev. Joe Harris - Trustee Mrs. Joan Krupa - Trustee (Secretary)
The first action of the Presidential Search Committee will be to ask and invite all persons in the Asbury community to begin praying for this most important task. Bishop Sundo Kim of South Korea and Bishop Luis Palomo of Costa Rica, members of the Board of Trustees, reminded the Board that we must all support the Search Committee and the process with our prayers. The Search Committee will also work with the Community Life Department to prepare prayer guides for our community to use as we ask God to lead the discernment process of selecting the person who will become the next President of Asbury Theological Seminary.
There are some conversations that the Search Committee must hold in strict confidence in order to maintain the highest integrity of the process and appropriate respect for the various candidates however, the Search Committee will be as open as possible and will communicate as regularly to help everyone be aware of the progress that is being made. The Co-chairs of the Search Committee, Dr. Jim Smith and Dr. Dan Johnson, welcome the input of all who love Asbury, and invite all who have questions or suggestions to contact any or all of us on the Search Committee.
We hope to name the new President in the spring of 2008, with him or her beginning their duties on July 1 of 2008. Thank you for your prayers and your support as we begin this process together.