Huntington University names next president
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The Huntington University board of trustees has selected Robert Pepper as the university’s 14th president. Pepper currently serves as executive director and assistant to the president for innovation and unity partnerships at Messiah University in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.
Pepper will succeed Sherilyn Emberton, who announced in August that she will retire at the end of the current academic year after 12 years in the role.
The university said Pepper was selected following an extensive national search. Board Chairman Monte Lightner welcomed the next president in a university news release.
“Dr. Pepper’s scholarship, experience, creativity, and above all, his love of Jesus will continue and enhance the legacy left by past HU presidents,” Lightner said. “We are excited to participate with Dr. Pepper in the next chapter of Huntington University.”
Pepper joined Messiah University in 1993 as a residence hall director and has held numerous leadership positions during his tenure, including director of graduate enrollment and student services, associate provost, and dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Huntington said Messiah’s enrollment more than tripled during his time at the university.
“I am deeply grateful for the strong leadership and vision demonstrated by President Sherilyn Emberton, her senior leadership team, and the Board of Trustees,” Pepper said in the release. “Building on the solid foundation they have established, I am eager to begin working with others to advance Huntington University’s mission and continue to foster a Christ-centered thriving, transformative educational community.”
Huntington is a private university southwest of Fort Wayne that is affiliated in the United Brethren of Christ. It was founded in 1897 and has an enrollment of approximately 1,400 students.
Huntington said the transition between Emberton and Pepper will take place at the end of the school year. Specific details of the transition will be announced this spring.