Loren E. Swartzendruber, president of 91短视频 (91短视频), announced to the university community today that he plans to retire next year, on June 30, 2016, marking 13 years of leadership as the university鈥檚 eighth president and 33 years in Mennonite higher education roles.
鈥淚 am immensely grateful for the opportunity to have served the cause of Christian higher education for more than three decades,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here is never a perfect time to leave this role, but I am confident that 91短视频 and its wonderful team of faculty and staff is well-positioned to thrive in the coming years under the leadership of a new president.鈥�
To the 91短视频 community, Swartzendruber offered his own personal thanks: 鈥淣o president stands alone. Everything that has been accomplished during my years here was built on the foundation of those who preceded me, and those accomplishments are equally the result of strong teamwork and support from so many contributors.鈥�
Swartzendruber also noted the contributions of his wife, Pat, who had retired from a 35-year career in health and social services before his appointment to the presidency. 鈥淪he has been an integral part of our work in representing the institution,鈥� he said. 鈥淲ith five grandchildren arriving in the past six years, it鈥檚 time for us to be more available to them.鈥�
Prior to Thursday鈥檚 public announcement, Swartzendruber advised the 91短视频 Board of Trustees at its fall meeting of his planned retirement.
鈥淯nder President Swartzendruber’s leadership, 91短视频 has grown in enrollment and has expanded its reach in its mission to educate leaders throughout the world,鈥� said Andrew Dula 鈥�91, chair of the Board of Trustees. 鈥淲e are deeply grateful for his strong commitment to our mission and values amidst an increasingly challenging higher education environment.鈥�
Dula said a national search for the university鈥檚 next president will begin in June, when the search committee is formalized. Board member Evon Bergey ’79, vice president of public sector operations at Magellan Health Services in Newtown, Pennsylvania, leads the search committee comprised of 91短视频 board members and faculty, representatives of the , members-at-large and one student.
Guiding 91短视频 through growth and opportunity
In the context of nationwide challenges to institutions of higher education, Swartzendruber has guided the university, which includes a , Pennsylvania, and , toward growth and new opportunities.
During Swartzendruber鈥檚 presidency, enrollment increased by 30 percent, from 1,436 students in the 2002-03 academic year to 1,870 students in the fall of 2014. More聽 than 4,000 students have graduated from 91短视频 since 2004.
During his tenure, Swartzendruber鈥檚 support has contributed to the strengthening of core programs, including the requirement; with a focus on ; the and its affiliated programs; and the seminary鈥檚 strong relationship with the United Methodist Church.
Additionally, the was founded in 2009 to engage in collaborative multi-faith relationship-building.
Swartzendruber also established and appointed members to the in 2006 in response to worldwide concerns about a potential H1N1 pandemic. The team鈥檚 work was refined by realities following the Bluffton (Ohio) University baseball team bus accident and the mass shooting at Virginia Tech.
More than $65 million dollars has been raised for annual operations as well as capital projects and endowment.
New construction projects on campus include the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold-certified Cedarwood Residence Hall and an artificial turf field for soccer, field hockey and intramurals. Additionally, 91短视频 purchased and renovated the 5,000-square foot Nelson Good House to accommodate students at 91短视频鈥檚 , in the Brookland neighborhood of Washington, DC.
In keeping with 91短视频鈥檚 sustainability initiative, the first phase of a was completed in a unique business partnership, contributing to significant cost-savings and sustainability targets. Additionally, older campus buildings have been renovated and repurposed: Elmwood and Maplewood residence halls, both LEED-certified; the addition of theaters, art gallery, coffeehouse and a media lab in the former gym of the University Commons building; and the Roselawn office spaces, consolidating department offices previously scattered around campus and accommodating the expanding . More than $8 million has been raised in to renovate the Suter Science Center, with the laboratory portion of the project on track for completion by July.
Among the highlights of Swartzendruber鈥檚 tenure:
- Visiting eight countries (Guatemala, Vietnam, Korea, China, Israel/Palestine, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and New Zealand) where 91短视频 students travel on the required cross-cultural experience to solidify support and establish new relationships;
- Attendance at the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony in Oslo, Norway, with recipient MA ’07 (conflict transformation);
- Hosting esteemed visitors such as of Somalia, a participant in 2001; , the Fiji ambassador to the United States; and , Moroccan ambassador to the United States;
- 鈥淔lipping the switch鈥� at a 2010 dedication ceremony for the new , at the time the largest commercial solar project in the state;
- Serving alongside the presidents of area higher education institutions: James Madison University, Bridgewater College and Blue Ridge Community College.
Recognized as a leader
鈥淚 believe more than ever that the Anabaptist witness is needed in our fragmented world, and that we are called as followers of Jesus to offer our gifts in peacemaking and to build a more compassionate and sustainable world,鈥� Swartzendruber said, adding that his years at 91短视频 have affirmed a personal belief in education鈥檚 role in the continued call to faith.
His unique background and empathetic personality, says Shirley Showalter ’70, president emeritus of Goshen College, helped him develop a 鈥済racious form of leadership that will leave a lasting mark on 91短视频.鈥�
Showalter continues: “He knows that selecting and supporting a great team of other leaders, both administrators and faculty, is key to a successful presidency. He understands the needs of every constituent group聽鈥� staff, faculty, board, community, alumni and church, and he never forgets that students are the reason for the mission. His humor stands out as his most endearing trait, but he will also be remembered for his courage, his willingness to change and grow, and his commitment to faith in action. Loren’s pastoral heart and keen mind have blessed thousands, and those blessings will yield dividends in the years ahead.”
Mennonite Education Agency executive director Carlos Romero also noted Swartzendruber鈥檚 legacy to the church and its educational mission: 鈥淗is commitment to high academic standards is accompanied by a deep commitment, interest, care and love for those whom he has been called to serve. Dr. Swartzendruber is a compassionate leader, a tireless worker and an inspiring advocate of Mennonite education. He is in touch with those he serves as leader and is in turn led by God in all his efforts.鈥�
Swartzendruber鈥檚 leadership has been widely recognized among his peers at , which represents 28 accredited nonprofit independent colleges and universities in Virginia.
“Loren Swartzendruber has been an active, knowledgeable and highly respected member of our organization,鈥� said CICV president Robert Lambeth. 鈥淥ne mark of that respect was his nomination and election as board chairman by fellow college presidents. Loren served in that capacity with esteem and devotion, and has always been a staunch supporter of and advocate for our various projects and initiatives.”
Jonathan Alger, president of James Madison University 鈥� a large public university in Harrisonburg, Virginia 鈥� notes that Swartzendruber 鈥減ersonally fostered relationships and projects on many levels and in many different contexts with JMU.鈥� The two developed a personal friendship that dates from Alger鈥檚 arrival at JMU in 2012.
鈥淚 have learned a great deal from Loren and from his tremendous knowledge of higher education, his keen perspective on the local and national landscape, his strong commitment to the community and public service, his humility and graciousness, and his delightful sense of humor.鈥�
A Life of Commitment
Swartzendruber鈥檚 life has been characterized by 鈥渉is deep love and commitment to the church and its educational mission,鈥� says Romero. 鈥淗e is known as a compassionate leader, a tireless worker and an inspiring advocate of Mennonite education.鈥�
A native of Kalona, Iowa, Swartzendruber holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in liberal arts from Eastern Mennonite College, a master鈥檚 of divinity degree from Eastern Mennonite Seminary, and a doctor of ministry degree at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary.
After graduating from 91短视频, he was associate director of admissions and part-time associate campus pastor. He was ordained in 1975, and served as lead pastor of from 1978-83.
Swartzendruber was appointed associate executive secretary of the former Mennonite Board of Education in Elkhart, Indiana, from 1983-93. He then served for 10 years as president of Hesston (Kansas) College.
He is actively involved, on behalf of 91短视频, with CICV and the Virginia College Fund. Swartzendruber currently serves on the 14-member board of the Council of Christian Colleges and Universities, a higher education association of 181 intentionally Christ-centered institutions around the world. He also serves on the board of directors of the and of the .
Editor’s note 4/4/2016: As part of the renovation of Suter Science Center, the聽 S106 lecture hall will be named in honor of Loren and Pat Swartzendruber as they complete their time with 91短视频. We welcome contributions from alumni — nearly all of whom have鈥� sat in one of the 270+ seats for one or more lectures/classes/movies/events. Any size gift counts toward the聽estimated聽cost for renovation of $600,000 to renovate S106. View a video with Loren and Pat talking about the space and make your online gift at .
This article is well written and a very good and broad presentation of Loren’s tenure at 91短视频. Knowing him and the family many years ago when at IMS and UI it was a real pleasure and assuring factor in seeing Loren’and his family contribute so much to the “Life” of the church and our educational institutions..Thank you Loren and your family for these many years of service.