“While serving as a president of a CCCU institution and now as president of the CCCU, I have observed Ron Mahurin’s significant leadership in the movement of Christian higher education. He has been a catalyst for professional development with Christian higher education and has raised the bar for academic research. His leadership has led the CCCU into the 21st century and we are sad to lose him, but he leaves association work to return to his love for the individual campus.   Ron goes with our blessings and best wishes and we know that Houghton College is receiving a thoughtful and visionary leader for their academic endeavors.”

In his position with the CCCU, Mahurin has provided strategic leadership in professional development for over 100 college and university campuses across North America, expanded professional development programs to annually serve over 1500 leaders, and coordinated major national research projects on student retention, quality and spiritual formation. Additionally Mahurin built network of business, higher education, publishing and non-profit organizations to partner with CCCU and worked with national journalists to help raise the profile of Christian higher education. Other highlights of his time at the Council include sponsoring the 2001 Forum on Christian Higher Education and the 2006 International Forum on Christian Higher Education, as well as developing the new Center for Research on Adult Education at Indiana Wesleyan University (IN).

“Dr. Mahurin brings to Houghton a deep commitment to faith-based liberal arts education, widespread experience in faculty development, and a heart for connecting learning to the real world,” said Houghton College President Shirley Mullen. “We believe that his coming will further Houghton's commitment to make this campus a center of intellectual, cultural and spiritual enrichment for western New York, and a more effective partner in the critical conversations in our culture on the nature and value of education for the 21st century.”

The search for a new CCCU vice president for professional development & research will begin in March. In the interim Mahurin will continue to provide leadership for the CCCU in the area of PD&R until he concludes his time on June 30, 2008.

The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities is a higher education association of 182 intentionally Christ-centered institutions around the world. There are now 105 member campuses in North America and all are fully-accredited, comprehensive colleges and universities with curricula rooted in the arts and sciences. In addition, 77 affiliate campuses from 24 countries are part of the CCCU. The Council’s mission is to advance the cause of Christ-centered higher education and to help its institutions transform lives by faithfully relating scholarship and service to biblical truth.

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For media inquiries, contact:
Nate Mouttet
nmouttet@cccu.org
voice: 202.546.8713 ext. 329