I am pleased to share the good news that Dr. Keith Newman has accepted our invitation to become IWU's next Vice President for University Relations. He has held the same position at Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Ohio since January 2003.
Dr. Newman will join IWU on July 1, 2009, and will be a member of the President's Cabinet.
Before joining Mount Vernon Nazarene, Dr. Newman was a pastor for 18 years in the Nazarene Church. He served as the senior pastor of large Nazarene churches in Arkansas, Texas and California. Dr. Newman is an exceptional mission fit. Although he has served the Nazarene Church for several years, he is committed to joining The Wesleyan Church.
I have known Keith since he joined Mount Vernon Nazarene seven years ago and feel we can work together effectively. The chemistry between a University president and the Vice President of University Relations is so important because of the need for the two of us to travel together extensively.
Dr. David Blanchard, who chairs the University Relations Committee of the IWU Board of Trustees, interviewed Dr. Newman and said he was very
favorably impressed with Dr. Newman's breadth of experience and credentials and his commitment to furthering Christ's Kingdom through Higher Education.
Dr. Newman has a Bachelor's of Arts degree from Houston Baptist University and a Master of Ministry degree from Southern Nazarene University. He earned his Ed.D. degree in Leadership Education from Spalding University. He also has a Certificate in Fundraising Management from The Center of Philanthropy at Indiana University in Indianapolis.
Before beginning his ministry in the Nazarene Church, Dr. Newman served for nine years as a police officer and detective sergeant on the Houston (Texas) Police Department. Dr. Newman has taken an active role in the Mount Vernon, Ohio, community since he joined the Mount Vernon Nazarene University six years ago. He has served on the board of directors of the American Red Cross, the Chamber of Commerce and the Convention and Visitors Bureau.
For three decades, Dr. Newman has been a speaker at youth camps, conventions, retreats, capital stewardship banquets, parent-teacher organizations and civic associations. He was a founding trustee of a Christian high school in Houston.
Keith's wife, Carolyn and their high school daughter, Alana, will join the IWU family later this summer.
Dr. Newman will succeed Dr. Brian Simmons, who recently resigned earlier to become President of the Association of Christian Schools International. Dr. Simmons has served IWU very capably for the last three years and we all pray the very best for the next steps for the Brian and Bonnie in Colorado Springs.
Henry Smith
President
Indiana Wesleyan University
