Anderson President to Retire
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe president of Anderson University has announced plans to retire after the 2014-2015 academic year. James Edwards has led the university since 1990. The school says it will announce details of the transition process soon. March 4, 2014
News Release
ANDERSON, Ind. – Dr. James L. Edwards, president of Anderson University, has announced his plans to conclude his presidency by the end of the 2014-15 academic year. His last year of service will mark 25 years of distinguished leadership as president of Anderson University. Currently, he is the longest serving president (in both public and private universities) in the State of Indiana. Edwards has served as president of Anderson University since 1990 and is only the fourth person to hold the office in the school's 97-year history.
“Anderson University has been blessed to have four outstanding presidents in her history,” said Lou Gerig, chair of the Anderson University board of Trustees. “Jim and Deanna Edwards have given their lives to Anderson University for 24 years. It has been my pleasure and honor to serve as chair of the board and partner in leadership with Dr. Edwards for most of that tenure. We have seen significant growth in so many areas during this time. Dr. Edwards has positioned Anderson University as a distinguished Christian institution and has taken the door of the university to Indianapolis and beyond. He has advanced the mission of AU greatly through facilities, programs and financial support. A process of presidential transition will be announced in the coming days. Since the founding in 1917, Anderson University has been blessed to have great leadership and we are confident that this tradition will continue into future.”
During his tenure as president, Dr. Edwards has overseen several comprehensive capital campaigns raising funding support totaling more than $205 million dollars. A number of major facilities have been constructed during his presidency including the Kardatzke Wellness Center, York Performance Hall, York Seminary Village, additions onto Decker Hall and Hartung Hall, a new business school, the Flagship Enterprise Center and improvements to residence halls and many existing campus facilities.
Dr. Edwards has extensive involvement in the arena of higher education in Indiana and nationally and has been a busy community leader during his tenure. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. He has also served as a director and officer of the board of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, as chair of the board for Independent Colleges of Indiana and a member of the Steering Committee of the Indiana Leadership Prayer Breakfast. He holds board membership on the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Association and served as chair of Indiana Campus Compact.
Locally, Dr. Edwards has served on the board of directors of the Madison County Community Foundation, the Corporation for Economic Development of Madison County and First Merchants Bank of Central Indiana. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Anderson where he was honored with the 2003 Community Image Award. He has served on the Ministries Council of the Church of God, the board of directors of St. Vincent Anderson Regional Hospital, Citizens Banking Company and the United Way.
Prior to his election as president of Anderson University, Dr. Edwards was president and chief executive officer for Warner Press, publishing house for the Church of God. In this assignment, he directed the work of the largest religious publisher in Indiana.
An ordained minister, Dr. Edwards has served the Church of God in a variety of assignments including serving in senior pastoral leadership in a number of major churches across the country. Prior to national executive service, he was senior pastor of the Meadow Park Church of God in Columbus, Ohio. Earlier pastorates were in Indiana and Michigan.
Edwards is a graduate of Anderson University and the Anderson University School of Theology. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Educational Policy and Leadership at the Ohio State University.
Anderson University is a private Christian university in central Indiana. Anderson University continues to be recognized as one of America's top colleges by U.S. News and World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes. Established in 1917 by the Church of God (Anderson, Ind.), Anderson University offers more than 65 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, music, nursing, and theology.
Source: Anderson University