Dr. Bates Selected as Temporary SAU President
Tiffany Coston
Issue date: 4/12/07 Section: News
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After President Beebe announced his plans to move on, the board of trustees thought it was time Spring Arbor University did as well. Though the campus was saddened by Beebe's decision to leave and become president of Westmont College in Santa Barbara, Calif., it was time for the SAU Board of Trustees to seek out a new president for the 2007-2008 academic year. By a majority vote, the board appointed Dr. Gerald E. Bates as the new president of SAU. Bates is currently the vice chair of the Board of Trustees and chair of the board's strategic planning oversight committee.
Bates' term will be effective June 1, 2007, but he will only be in office for one year. After this time a presidential search committee led by E. Harold Munn will appoint a new president. Bates is not a candidate for the permanent position.
"Dr. Bates is a strong leader who believes deeply in the Spring Arbor University Concept, and in the values and principles that have characterized the institution from its beginning. He will keep us focused on our strong spiritual tradition, and will be a steady hand as we continue to grow and seek new leadership," Les Dietzman, chairman of the SAU Board of Trustees, wrote in an email to SAU students.
Bates is not only qualified for this position, but he will add stability and direction to SAU as it undergoes many changes in the upcoming years. Bates holds a doctoral degree in education from Michigan State University, a master's in theology from Western Theological Seminary, a master's in divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary, a bachelor's degree from Greenville College and an associate degree from SAU. He has also helped start and develop higher educational institutions in other countries, held positions on different boards, been a professor and lecturer around the world, and received many awards and honors over the years. Bates was an executive bishop for the Free Methodist Church of North America, which has over 77,000 members in the United States. Bates and his wife, Marlene, have three children and five granddaughters.
"SAU has a place in God's great plan and I want to maintain the focus of the institution expressed in the Concept, which affirms the ongoing process of learning with special attention to the liberal arts and total commitment to Jesus Christ whose living presence guides our educational efforts and defines our active participation in today's world," Bates said.
SAU welcomes Bates as the new university president for the upcoming academic year.
Bates' term will be effective June 1, 2007, but he will only be in office for one year. After this time a presidential search committee led by E. Harold Munn will appoint a new president. Bates is not a candidate for the permanent position.
"Dr. Bates is a strong leader who believes deeply in the Spring Arbor University Concept, and in the values and principles that have characterized the institution from its beginning. He will keep us focused on our strong spiritual tradition, and will be a steady hand as we continue to grow and seek new leadership," Les Dietzman, chairman of the SAU Board of Trustees, wrote in an email to SAU students.
Bates is not only qualified for this position, but he will add stability and direction to SAU as it undergoes many changes in the upcoming years. Bates holds a doctoral degree in education from Michigan State University, a master's in theology from Western Theological Seminary, a master's in divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary, a bachelor's degree from Greenville College and an associate degree from SAU. He has also helped start and develop higher educational institutions in other countries, held positions on different boards, been a professor and lecturer around the world, and received many awards and honors over the years. Bates was an executive bishop for the Free Methodist Church of North America, which has over 77,000 members in the United States. Bates and his wife, Marlene, have three children and five granddaughters.
"SAU has a place in God's great plan and I want to maintain the focus of the institution expressed in the Concept, which affirms the ongoing process of learning with special attention to the liberal arts and total commitment to Jesus Christ whose living presence guides our educational efforts and defines our active participation in today's world," Bates said.
SAU welcomes Bates as the new university president for the upcoming academic year.
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