2020 New Presidents Institute Virtual Series

Dr. J. Bradley Creed, president of Campbell University, is a leader of mission-driven institutions and a scholar and historian of religion.

Previously, Dr. Creed was the provost, executive vice president, and professor of religion at Samford University. Dr. Creed has served as professor of Christian history, associate dean, and dean at the George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University; scholar-in-residence at the Baptist Joint Committee on Religious Liberty; and visiting professor of church history at the John Leland Center for Theological Studies. He has also pastored churches in Texas and Louisiana.

A Texas native, Dr. Creed received a bachelor’s degree in religion from Baylor University and master’s and doctoral degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife Kathy, an educator, have three children (one deceased) and one grandson.

Dr. Sherilyn R. Emberton, 13th president of Huntington University, previously served as the provost and vice president for academic affairs at both East Texas Baptist University and Lincoln Memorial University. She began her career in private higher education at LeTourneau University.

She holds a Doctor of Education from Texas A&M University-Commerce and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Dr. Emberton sits on the executive boards of Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership and the Northeast Indiana Chamber of Commerce. She is the Director of Higher Education for the US National Conference, United Brethren Church in Christ; chairs the Lenawee Christian Ministries Board; and serves on the boards of the Community Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Indiana and Indiana’s AgriNovus and Elevate Ventures.

President Erik Hoekstra is the fourth president of Dordt University. He received his bachelor’s degree in history and philosophy from Trinity Christian College, his master’s degree in international management from The Rotterdam School of Management of Erasmus University in the Netherlands, and his doctorate in organizational learning and human resource development from Iowa State University. Prior to his time at Dordt as faculty member, provost, and president, President Hoekstra worked in leadership development and organizational consulting.

At Dordt, President Hoekstra has led two capital campaigns and major building initiatives, overseen the creation of innovative programs, and served in the process of transitioning Dordt from a college to a university.

President Hoekstra’s wife, Dr. Barb Hoekstra, is an education professor at Dordt, and they have four children.

Michael Lindsay serves as the eighth president of Gordon College. Previously, Dr. Lindsay was a sociology faculty member at Rice University. He authored Faith in the Halls of Power, a 2007 Pulitzer Prize nominee, and the award-winning View from the Top. Dr. Lindsay has lectured globally, authored two dozen scholarly publications, and worked tirelessly to create opportunities worldwide for Gordon students, faculty, and staff.

He earned his doctorate in sociology from Princeton University and completed graduate theological degrees from Wycliffe Hall at Oxford University and Princeton Theological Seminary. He is a summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Baylor University.

He is married to Rebecca, a writer and speaker and Gordon’s Ambassador for the College. They have three daughters and live on Gordon’s campus.

Dr. L. Randolph Lowry became Lipscomb University’s 17th president in September of 2005. A hallmark of his presidency at Lipscomb has been his dedication to connecting the university to the Nashville community. His guiding perspective can be summed up by his commonly known mantra: “The city is our campus and the world is our classroom.” Previously, Dr. Lowry served on the faculty at the Pepperdine School of Law, Vermont Law School, the City University of Hong Kong, Shantou University in Beijing, Bond University in Australia, Hamline University, and the University of Modena in Italy. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration from Pepperdine University, and a juris doctorate degree from Hamline University. A native of Oregon, he and his wife, Rhonda, are proud to now call Nashville and Lipscomb home. They have three grown children and five grandchildren.

Nicholas (Nick) Perrin became the 16^th president of Trinity International University in 2019. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Johns Hopkins University, where he joined InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He worked for InterVarsity before earning his Master of Divinity from Covenant Theological Seminary and pastoring churches in Illinois and London. Dr. Perrin holds a doctorate in biblical studies from Marquette University.

Prior to Trinity, Dr. Perrin served as an assistant professor at Biblical Seminary (now Missio Seminary), as a professor and the Franklin S. Dyrness Chair of Biblical Studies at Wheaton College Graduate School,  and as dean of the Wheaton College Graduate School.

Dr. Perrin and his wife, Camie, an educator, have two sons and together co-founded Covenant Classical School in Naperville, Illinois.

Dr. Chip Pollard became president of John Brown University in 2004. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Wheaton College, a law degree from Harvard Law School, a master’s degree in English from Oxford University, and a doctorate in English from the University of Virginia. The author of two books, he practiced law at Latham & Watkins and taught English literature at Calvin College (now University) before coming to JBU.

Dr. Pollard has served as chair of the board of the Council of Christian Colleges & Universities and on the boards of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Arvest Bank, and Mercy Northwest Arkansas Community Board.

His wife, Carey, works in the Office of the President. They have four children and are members at First Presbyterian Church of Siloam Springs.

Dr. Don Sweeting, a long-time Colorado Christian University trustee, was appointed president of the University in 2016. Previously, Dr. Sweeting served as president of Reformed Theological Seminary, where he also served as the James Woodrow Hassell Professor of Church History.

Dr. Sweeting holds bachelor’s degrees from Moody Bible Institute and Lawrence University, as well as a bachelor’s/master’s degree from Oxford University. He earned his doctorate in historical theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

An ordained minister in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Dr. Sweeting has pastored churches in Colorado and Illinois and served on the boards of many ministries and organizations, including the National Association of Evangelicals and John Stott Ministries. He speaks widely and has co-authored two books. He and his wife Christina have four children.

Andrew Westmoreland became Samford University’s 18th president in 2006. He has led the university in a vision to enrich and expand its service to students and further inspire their desire to meet the world’s needs, launching a six-year, $300 million capital campaign to this end.

Prior to Samford, Dr. Westmoreland was president of Ouachita Baptist University, where he had served on the administrative staff for more than 19 years.

Dr. Westmoreland holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in political science and a doctorate in higher education administration. A native of Arkansas, he is married to Dr. Jeanna Westmoreland, and they have one daughter.

In addition to his duties as president, Westmoreland teaches political science courses, serves on many organizational boards, and is an author and speaker.