UPLAND, IND. - Taylor University President Dr. David J. Gyertson announced to the Board of Trustees today that he is leaving Taylor and will accept the position of Distinguished Professor of Leadership Formation and Renewal at the School of Leadership Studies of Regent University, Virginia Beach, Virginia; an institution he co-founded in 1977.
Gyertson, who came to Taylor from Asbury Collegein Wilmore, KY, in 2000, said he is making the move based upon a personal sense of calling for him and his wife, Nancy. "I desire to give the capstone years of my career to research, writing, teaching, consulting and mentoring in the areas of leadership training and development... (and) to be more available and prepared to help Christian leaders, and the organizations they serve, maximize their effectiveness for the emerging global opportunities of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ," said Gyertson in a letter to the Taylor community. "As the next set of strategic priorities is defined for Taylor University, it is clear that the demands these will place on the President's office will not provide sufficient opportunity for me to address the primary components of my sense of calling."
According to Gyertson's letter, the move is one he had been contemplating for a period of time. "Nancy and I made the decision to leave Asbury College in 2000 so that we could pursue this sense of mission more fully. We believed that the demands of the traditional president's role could not easily accommodate my ministry interests," he said. "Then you good people came along. You won our hearts and caused us tore-think our conclusions. We were impressed by Taylor's place in the Kingdom and challenged by the opportunities to invest in the lives of committed young people who possess such significant potential to advance the Great Commission."
"I would like to be more involved in media ministry, evangelism and world outreach," Gyertson continued. "This faculty appointment will allow me to work with doctoral candidates in the School of Leadership Studies as well as do the research,writing, consulting and teaching I believe (to be) important. The opportunity to return to Regent and be an active part again of the Christian leadership vision I helped pioneer appears to be God's next step in my service."
During Gyertson's leadership, Taylor concluded a successful $75 million capital campaign, erected three new buildings on its Upland and Fort Wayne campuses and embarked on a comprehensive master facilities plan for both campuses. Gyertson said he would be working with Regent and the Taylor Board to insure an orderly transition.
Mr. Ken Flanigan, Chairman of Taylor's Board of Trustees, called Gyertson an extraordinary CEO, pointing to additional accomplishments including a zero-based assessment of the university and the creation for the Center for Teaching Excellence. "It was with profound sadness and a deep sense of loss that the Taylor University Board of Trustees accepted Dr. Gyertson's letter of resignation and sense of God's calling to move on," he said. "As a result of David's leadership, Taylor University is in the best position in her history to make a significant impact in Christ-centered education in the 21st century."
"We have been privileged to serve three quality institutions during this phase of our ministry," Gyertson concluded. "As we bring this season of my being 'the President' to a close and begin our preparations for this new assignment we are thankful for the privilege of serving Taylor University's mission and you its people. To God be the glory, great things He has done!"
Jim Garringer