On June 11, the Synod of the Christian Reformed Church of North America (CRCNA) voted to ratify Michael Le Roy as the 10th president of Calvin College. Le Roy--the former provost and executive vice president at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington--was the presidential search committee's unanimous choice to lead Calvin in the coming years. He will begin his tenure with the college on July 2, 2012.
"I am grateful for the affirmation of the Synod and look forward to many years of strong collaboration between Calvin College and the CRCNA," said Le Roy. "I have been overwhelmed by the gracious hospitality and welcome I have received from the CRCNA and look forward to building on the relationships that have begun here this weekend."
Le Roy comes to Calvin College with a depth of experience--administrative, academic and scholarly--in Christian higher education. Le Roy's former colleagues describe him as a sincere man of faith--a leader who values consensus and handles difficult situations with grace and integrity.
Born in La Mesa, Calif. and raised on Bainbridge Island, Washington, Le Roy is a 1989 graduate of Whitworth University with majors in international studies and peace studies. He earned his PhD in political science at Vanderbilt University in 1994 and taught at Wheaton College before returning to his alma mater in 2002. Le Roy is credited with helping to build Whitworth's academic excellence and with leading the collaborative effort to open Whitworth's first international education center in Costa Rica.
Le Roy and his wife, Andrea Nelson Le Roy, have three children: son Dana and daughters Hannah and Astrid.
"It's exciting that the final step in this process has played out," said Scott Spoelhof, chair of the Calvin College Board of Trustees. "Michael's strengths as a scholar, teacher and administrator and his passion for Reformed Christianity will serve Calvin well in the coming years. We are excited to officially welcome Michael, Andrea and their family to the Calvin community. And, at the same time, we are extremely grateful for the 17 years of service that Gaylen and Susan Byker have provided our community. Their passion for the institution and its mission has laid a strong foundation for Calvin in the years ahead."
President Le Roy will begin his tenure at Calvin College on Monday, July 2, 2012. He will be inaugurated on Saturday, October 20, 2012 (during Calvin's Homecoming and Family Weekend). For a complete bio, four-minute video interview with Michael and Andrea, and details for October's inauguration, visit Calvin's inaugural website at www.calvin.edu/president/inauguration
A look back at the search process
In May 2011, President Gaylen J. Byker informed the Calvin College Board of Trustees of his plan to retire following the 2011-2012 academic year.
Later that month, the executive committee of the board chose longtime board member Dave Vander Ploeg to chair the presidential search committee and a 16-member committee was formed.
In December 2011, the presidential search committee announced their unanimous decision to recommend Michael Le Roy to the Board of Trustees.
In January 2012, Calvin's board of trustees voted to accept the recommendation of the presidential search committee and appointed Dr. Michael Le Roy to the position of President at Calvin College.
In June 2012, the Synod of the CRCNA ratified Michael Le Roy as the 10th president of Calvin College.
For more details on the search process, visit www.calvin.edu/president/search
-end-
Matt Kucinski
Media Relations Manager
Calvin College
msk23@calvin.edu
616.526.8935 (office)
616.307.7429 (cell)
Received on Tue Jun 12 10:41:05 2012
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