Dear IWU Alumni Community,
As you have probably already have heard by now, Dr. David Wright has announced his retirement from IWU effective June 30, 2022. Shortly after Dr. Wright announced his retirement, the Board of Trustees (BOT) met to establish a Presidential Search Committee (PSC). The PSC has representatives from the Board of Trustees, Faculty, Wildcat Council, and the Wesleyan Church. As the process moves forward, we desire to gather input from internal and external stakeholders and will be reaching out to establish an advisory committee to support this work.
The BOT understands that for the PSC to discern God’s will for IWU’s next President, we have to have a foundation rooted in prayer. The BOT has asked Dr. Jim “Umfundisi”+ Lo to support the PSC as a prayer warrior and to encourage the IWU community to pray. We believe God has great plans for IWU and will provide us with the necessary new leader to transition the university into a successful future. As we pray for God to give us wisdom and discernment, we remember Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” We fully trust and believe that God will lead us to His choice for President as long as we continue to have a foundation of prayer.
The BOT has determined that the new President must have three characteristics. These requirements are non-negotiable and will be the foundation for candidates we are considering:
- Devoted Follower of Christ Who Continually Seeks God’s Heart
- Strong Dedication to IWU’s Mission
- In Full Agreement with Wesleyan Theology and the Wesleyan Church
The PSC has hired a search firm to assist in our search. There are many benefits to engaging a firm, and it is considered best practice in finding a world-class executive to lead the institution. The PSC believes a firm will provide the following value to the process:
- Expertise in guiding the process with their knowledge of a President’s role and position
- An extensive network of connections to find qualified candidates
- Screening of candidates to discover the most qualified candidates for IWU’s next President
Tod Dalberg, VP for External Affairs, serves as the university’s liaison to the PSC. Please feel free to respond to him with questions regarding this process. You can reach him via email at tod.dalberg@indwes.edu.
Please join Dr. Lo, the BOT, the PSC, and our community as we continue to pray for wisdom and discernment as we select IWU’s next President.
Barry Hines, Chair
IWU Presidential Search Committee
I am delighted and encouraged with the three top requirements used in selecting the next IWU president. I loved my years in Marion College (class of ’54) and pray that this sdelection for new president will help to stem the liberal, socialistic trend so blatantly promoted by secular universities. May God indeed direct in this selection. You are in my prayers.