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Important Update from the President’s Office

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To the Taylor University community,

One of the richest blessings we can experience in a University setting is witnessing God bring students into our community as young freshmen and then celebrating as they head out as graduates, equipped as servant-leaders to minister in our world. Students aren’t the only transitions that we get to witness. Last month, we had the honor of announcing Dr. D. Michael Lindsay as the next President of Taylor. Today, I want to share with you about a very important “sending out.” 

In the past hour, Dr. Michael Hammond, our Provost and Executive Vice President, was introduced as the next President of Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts. Taylor alumnus Harold J. Ockenga once served as a president of Gordon, and the college has for many years been a fellow member with Taylor of the Christian College Consortium (CCC) and the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU).

Many people have been praying for God’s discernment in both the Taylor and Gordon presidential search processes. We celebrate the clarity that God has given both institutions. It was clear there was a strong initial chemistry between Dr. Lindsay and Dr. Hammond, and now they will work closely together as Christian college presidents.  While all of us, including the Taylor Board of Trustees, had hoped these two leaders would be serving Taylor together, we acknowledge the Lord’s leading in these extraordinary times. We affirm that Dr. Hammond is compelled to accept his clear call to Gordon College. Without question, Dr. Hammond has been a key contributor to Taylor’s strengthening as an institution of not only academic excellence, but historic Christian faith.

Dr. Hammond, a 1992 Taylor alumnus, has served our campus with distinction for 13 years, as Director of Leadership Development, Dean of the School of Humanities, Arts & Biblical Studies, Professor of History, and most recently as our Provost and Executive Vice President. Throughout his service at Taylor, Dr. Hammond has demonstrated wisdom, grace, a great love for our community, and sacrificial commitment to follow the Lord’s purposes.

Dr. Hammond, his wife Jennifer, and their children have been and will continue to be beloved members of our Taylor family. I and the rest of us can rejoice in this new, critical avenue of service to which Dr. Hammond has been entrusted. Dr. Hammond will conclude his time at Taylor on June 30, and begin his duties at Gordon College on July 1.

I continue to work closely with Dr. Lindsay in this transitional period. We will announce a search for a new Provost soon. In the meantime, please join me in wishing the Hammond's God’s richest blessings.

Faithfully in Christ,

Paige Comstock Cunningham, PhD, JD
Interim President