Dr. Andringa's Retirement Announcement

Original: Dr.Andringa's Retirement Announcement

Robert C. Andringa, Ph.D.

Washington, D.C. - Dr. Robert C. Andringa,president of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities(CCCU), requested on Friday, April 29, 2005 that the board ofdirectors initiate the process of finding his successor.  Hewill have served as president of the CCCU for twelve years at theeffective date of his retirement, June 30, 2006.  In hisnotice to the board, Andringa asked the board to consider finding asuccessor in time to be introduced at the CCCU's InternationalForum on Christian Higher Education scheduled for the endof March, 2006 in Dallas, Texas where the Council will celebrateit's 30th anniversary.

In responding to this request, board chair Dr. David Dockery,president of Union University, stated, "The CCCUhas changed much under Bob's leadership.  TheCouncil has greatly expanded its impact in the world of highereducation and inside the Beltway as well.  His expertise ongovernment issues, legal challenges, and higher education policymatters has been invaluable to all of us during theseyears." Dockery further stated,"The list of accomplishments during these years islengthy indeed. The Forum will provide us a special venue to saythank you for his investment in the work of Christian HigherEducation." Dr. Dockery has authority from theboard to appoint a search committee.  The board will focus ontheir desired criteria for Andringa's successor attheir July board meeting in Oxford, U.K.

Dr. Andringa commented that, "I have stayed in this role severalyears beyond my original expectation because it has been such aperfect match between my faith commitment and love for highereducation.  This has to be one of the best leadership roles inthe world for someone motivated to serve and develop leaders whoknow how to live by faith in the marketplace."

Since Andringa came to the Council, the number of institutionsin the CCCU has doubled, from 88 to the current 176 with theaddition of affiliate membership.  TheCouncil's service to its membership has expandedsignificantly with over 90 distinct programs and projects;supported by a budget that has grown from $3.8 to $10.5 million;the domestic and international staff has grown from 30 to 65. UnderDr. Andringa's leadership the name Council forChristian Colleges & Universities was adopted and the UnitedChristian College Fund was established.

Andringa has also elevated the significance of the CCCUpresidency through his involvement with the Washington HigherEducation Secretariat (WHES), his role as chair of the NationalAdvisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity, electionto the board of the American Council on Education (ACE), past boardservice on the National Association of Independent Colleges andUniversities (NAICU), leadership with Executives in Church RelatedHigher Education, and in creating partnerships with the Council forIndependent Colleges (CIC) and several other organizations. As a former education committee staff director in the U.S. House ofRepresentatives and CEO of the Education Commission of the States,Andringa has played an active role in public policy and socialjustice while at the CCCU.

Dr. Andringa is a national expert on nonprofit governance andhas worked with over 500 boards and CEOs on governance issues,including many campuses, based on his Nonprofit Board AnswerBook.  His retirement announcement coincides with thepublication of his third book titled Presidential Transitions inPrivate Colleges co-authored with former CIC president, Allen P.Splete. Regarding the timing of his book Andringa said, "Justcoincidence!"

"More significant than all of this," said Andringa, "hundreds ofthousands of lives have been transformed by the quality educationand spiritual formation provided by the wonderful institutions weare serving each day."

As for his future, Dr. Andringa said "When I turned 60, Iadopted the motto 'peak at 80' and so I look forward to manyadventures ahead, probably staying close to my passion of helpingCEOs and boards achieve worthy goals.  The Lord has guided mein all my career moves and he hasn't told me it is time to retire,but rather to re-fire in new ways of service."

The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities is ahigher education association 176 intentionally Christ-centeredinstitutions around the world. There are now 105 member campuses inNorth America and all are fully-accredited, comprehensive collegesand universities with curricula rooted in the arts and sciences. Inaddition, 71 affiliate campuses from 24 countries are part of theCCCU. The Council's mission is to advance thecause of Christ-centered higher education and to help itsinstitutions transform lives by faithfully relating scholarship andservice to biblical truth.