The Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) presidential search committee continues to make progress on the search for the institution’s ninth president. The committee convened Oct. 2-3, 2015 on campus for its second meeting. Current President Loren Swartzendruber announced in April 2015 his intention to retire June 30, 2016.The committee welcomed Michele Hensley, director of financial assistance for EMU, as the staff representative. She is the 11th committee member, joining a diverse group that includes EMU and Mennonite Education Agency (MEA) board members as well as alumni, professors, students, pastors and church and educational leaders.
“The committee continues to work diligently, keeping the process moving at the anticipated pace,” said Carlos Romero, executive director of MEA and ex-officio member and staff for the search committee.
During the Friday meeting, the committee reviewed the search process to date. This included a review of the September survey responses from 1,100 alumni, pastors and other stakeholders. The survey invited input on the qualifications of the next EMU president – listed in order of priority – as well as nominations of individuals for the committee to consider.
The committee also reviewed the results of the listening sessions with EMU students, faculty and staff held in September on campus.
“The committee is grateful for the many thoughtful responses we received both from the listening process and the survey,” said Evon Bergey, chair of the search committee. “These responses are being taken into careful consideration as we move to the next stage of the process.”
On Saturday, the committee reviewed the presidential search webpage created by EMU communications team, and created a presidential profile and advertisements to be placed in higher education and Mennonite Church USA publications.
The next meeting of the search committee will be in December.
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