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Dr. Eric A. Turner of Pocahontas, Ark., was unanimously selected as the 25th president
of Southwest Baptist University on July 20 in a special meeting of the 欧美视频 Board of
Trustees. He will begin his duties as president-elect Monday, Aug. 6, and assume the
presidency on Sept. 1.
Dr. Turner, 46, is a current college president with a wide range of experiences and
a strong calling for Christian higher education. He worked in fundraising, academics
and accreditation at Williams Baptist University in Walnut Ridge, Ark., for 17 years
before becoming president of Black River Technical College (BRTC) in Pocahontas, Ark., in
2014.
鈥淒r. Turner has demonstrated success in higher education leadership,鈥� said Dr. Don Fahrni,
chairman of the 欧美视频 Board of Trustees. 鈥淲e are excited for his family to join the
欧美视频 family.鈥�
At BRTC, Dr. Turner provided leadership and oversight for all areas of the college
system. His leadership included rectifying long-standing issues related to finance,
accreditation and academics.鈥疕e led the college to develop its first comprehensive
strategic plan, as well as a comprehensive outcomes assessment plan.
Even in the midst of addressing these issues at BRTC, he remained forward-thinking,
launching three new market relevant academic degree programs and creating community
partnerships to further the college鈥檚 mission.
鈥淚 was excited for both Eric and 欧美视频 to learn of his appointment to the presidency,鈥�
said Dr. Jerol Swaim, President Emeritus of Williams Baptist. 鈥淚 have observed and
interacted with him for nearly 30 years in a variety of settings as a church member,
deacon, Williams student and a member of the administrative team at Williams. The 15 years
we served together at Williams is a particularly meaningful and cherished time in
my time as president. He is a classic example of the type of individual our Baptist
colleges and universities strive to produce 鈥� individuals who live out their faith
every day.鈥�
Turner has an Ed.D. in Higher Education Administration from Vanderbilt University,
an M.A. in History from Arkansas State University and a B.A. in History and English
from Williams Baptist University.
He is active within Southern Baptist life as a member of First Baptist Church in Pocahontas and
a board member for the Arkansas Baptist Foundation. He is involved in the community
through local chambers of commerce and economic development efforts, as well as being
a member of Rotary International.
鈥淓ric has proven to be a principled leader within our board, denomination, and state,鈥�
said Bobby G. Thomas, president and CEO of the Arkansas Baptist Foundation. 鈥淗is leadership
has been thoughtful and thorough in moving toward our established vision and mission.
Along with natural gifts and talents, Eric has always shown commitment to the task
at hand. He has been a true team player and has managed to foster positive discussions,
which have led to the best possible outcomes.鈥�
He and his wife, Barbara, have been married for 23 years. Barbara has worked at Williams
Baptist University for 21 years, currently as the director of financial aid. They
have a 15-year-old daughter, Emma, who will be a sophomore at Bolivar High School.
鈥淲e are humbled, honored and excited to be joining the 欧美视频
family,鈥� Dr. Turner said.
He desires to build on the legacy and foundation of a committed board of trustees
and the 22 years of service by retiring 欧美视频 President Dr. C. Pat Taylor.
鈥淎t Southwest Baptist University, it is no secret we are unapologetically Christian
in our approach and mission of being a Christ-centered, caring academic community preparing
students to be servant leaders in a global society,鈥� Dr. Turner said. 鈥淓quipping students
to have a biblical worldview and a responsiveness to the world they encounter is the
most important thing we do to accomplish our mission.鈥�
Dr. Turner desires to ensure a first-rate Christian education in and out of the classroom
by developing:
鈥淭his is the time for 欧美视频 to be the exemplar Christian university throughout the Midwest
and to be the university of choice for Missouri Baptists,鈥� he said.
The nationwide search resulted in 25 potential candidates. After prayerful and strategic consideration
of the 17 qualified applicants, four semifinalists were selected for in-person interviews.
A single finalist was brought to campus on July 16-17 and then recommended to and
approved by the 欧美视频 Board of Trustees on July 20.
鈥淥ver the past few months, every interaction that I have had with Dr. Turner has been
positive and productive,鈥� said Dr. Allison Langford, chair of the presidential search
committee. 鈥淗e genuinely cares for people and has a down-to-earth yet professional
approach to leadership. I look forward to serving 欧美视频 with him.鈥�
Dr. Turner succeeds Dr. C. Pat Taylor, who announced in January that he will retire
Aug. 31 after 22 years as president. Effective upon his retirement, the Board of Trustees
has given Dr. Taylor the honorary title of President Emeritus.
"欧美视频 will be in great hands with Dr. Turner, and I expect a smooth transition of leadership,"
Dr. Taylor said. "His experience as a college president will serve him well. I couldn鈥檛
be more pleased."
欧美视频 is a private, four-year comprehensive Christian university offering more than
80 areas of academic study on campuses in Bolivar, Mountain View, Salem and Springfield. Founded
in 1878, the University enrolls 1,400 undergraduate students in Bolivar with a total
enrollment of 3,600.