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Dr. Eckman to retire from Grace University |
by Lee Warren/HG
OMAHA, Neb. (HG)—President James Eckman, who has been with Grace University since 1983 – 14 of which he has served as president – recently announced his plans to retire effective June 30, 2012.
During his tenure, Dr. Eckman has led several development and building campaigns. Most recently, Grace University built a new health and fitness center, added the Grewcock Center for Teaching Excellence and renovated student lounges, the Schmidt residence Hall, Suckau Chapel and the Tschetter Academic Building. It also expanded the newly renovated Grewcock Library.
The University says Dr. Eckman has increased its academic programs, enhanced student growth and provided financial stability.
In addition to his duties at Grace University, Dr. Eckman hosts a radio program called “Issues in Perspective” that can be heard on 10 radio stations in Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado and Oregon. He is an ordained minister, the author of four books, and he conducts marriage seminars, current issue seminars, family life conferences, and Bible conferences as well as speaking at retreats throughout the United States, Germany, Switzerland and Ecuador.
Curt Hofer, a Grace University board of trustees member, Grace alumni and CEO of Jasperstone Holdings, has been appointed chairman of the Presidential Search Committee. He’ll be joined on the committee by Tom Eversden, Rev. Dr. Selwyn Bachus, Rev. Carlon Tschetter, Monica Morrison, Michael Whealy and Doug Troupe, who is also president of the Grace Foundation. Select Grace University faculty and staff are also on the committee.
“We have assembled a very strong committee representing various constituencies of Grace University,” Hofer said.
“I have sensed among them a willingness to work hard together as we begin the important task of finding the next president of Grace University.”
The search committee will work with The Dingman Company, a firm that has been involved in more than 200 executive searches for higher education, ministry and business. The Dingman Company has placed executives in many schools that, like Grace University, are members of the Association of Biblical Higher Education.
Dingman met with Grace University’s board of trustees in early November to work out a timeline for the search process. The Dingman Company will work with the university to develop a profile for the position and then the full search process will begin. †