Dr. Charles H. Webb unveiled his vision for the future of Spring Arbor University on Oct. 24 during his inauguration as the University's 29th president.
Since becoming a university in 2001, Spring Arbor has experienced unprecedented growth and expansion. Webb, who succeeds Gerald Bates as president, took over on June 1 and has since begun working to not only maintain the current level of growth, but to take it a step further by moving the university toward greater involvement on the global stage in the 21st century.
On the third day of a three-day celebration, Webb spoke on the topic of his inaugural theme, “Globalization through the Eyes of Faith,” addressing a 1,000-member audience with a speech titled, “Advancing Our Mission,” in which he unveiled his vision for how Spring Arbor University will achieve globalization while still maintaining its commitment to honoring and following Jesus Christ.
“I am announcing today, a University-wide effort, ’Igniting the Flame,’ to define together what it means for us to become a leading University in the 21st century,” said Webb, during his inaugural address. “I am asking the Spring Arbor University academy to consider a curriculum that partners with our academic units to effectively meet institutional goals to internationalize the curriculum.”
Webb, an alumnus of Spring Arbor University, returns to his alma mater having spent his entire professional career in higher education. He served as vice president for university development at Michigan State University, as well as president of the Michigan State University Foundation and executive director for the MSU Alumni Association. As vice president, he led MSU’s $1.2 billion campaign, where he exceeded the fundraising goal with a total of $1.38 billion.
Webb began his inaugural address by pointing to the mission and worldview of John Wesley, considered the father of Methodism and England’s greatest evangelist, as an ideology that Spring Arbor University ought to adopt.
“This is our generation. This is the time that God is calling his people. This is the hour that God is calling Spring Arbor University to be humble and bold; to become ‘that flame that can be ignited by the Holy Spirit…where society feels the difference.”
Webb thanked visionary and SAU’s 21st president, David McKenna, who also addressed the audience during the inauguration ceremony, for his efforts in crafting an “educational philosophy” known as the SAU Concept. The Concept established a framework for the University as it has moved forward toward becoming a university prototype that achieves globalization, while still pursuing the goal of providing a liberal arts education that invites all students to live holy and godly lives.
“Globalization is a new challenge to which all of higher education must respond,” said McKenna in his speech during the inauguration ceremony. “Spring Arbor University has a head start on that challenge.” McKenna endorsed the First Family as leaders for Spring Arbor University. “They are experienced, passionate and selfless. They are ready to be our president and first lady.”
During his speech, Webb asked that other academic institutions partner with SAU in building and sustaining a global education for all students, and he asked SAU students to begin considering how God might be calling them to adopt a global perspective. He called on the local community to join SAU as it endeavors to invest in and strengthen the neighboring areas, the state and world through expanding and diversifying its approaches to global participation.
Lastly, Webb committed himself to spending the next six months researching how to best implement his vision and then, come April 2009, begin to follow that road map that will set the University on a path toward greater participation and cooperation with the international community.
Following the inauguration ceremony, Webb welcomed guests to an inaugural luncheon held in the Dunckel Gymnasium. Included among the guests were the candidates for the 7th congressional district, Tim Walberg and Mark Schauer, state representative, Martin Griffin, 29 delegates from different colleges and universities around the U.S., faculty and staff, and various friends of President Webb and his wife, Philippa. The guests enjoyed a delightful lunch, as well as touching remarks made by the Webbs’ sons, David and Jason, about their parents.
After the luncheon, guests proceeded to a symposium held in White Auditorium where a panel of three experts explored the topic, “Anticipating Our Future.” David J. Gyertson, a professor of leadership formation and renewal at Regent University, served as moderator. Gyertson had also spoken to students during chapel on Wednesday. Steven G.W. Moore, executive director and CEO of the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, provided the key note address.
Panel responses were presented by Karen Strand Winslow, professor in the Graduate School of Theology and director of the Free Methodist Center at Azusa Pacific University; Howard A. Snyder, professor and chair of Wesley Studies at Tyndale Seminary in Toronto and former professor of history and theology of mission at Asbury Theological Seminary; and Darrell L. Whiteman, vice president for mission education and resident missiologist at The Mission Society.
The inaugural events concluded with a reception and art exhibit at the Ganton Art Gallery. The gallery showcased original artwork by each SAU art professor, commemorating the inauguration. Works by recognized artists Ned Gannon and alumnus Justin Jackson were also exhibited, along with pieces by current SAU students. Readings from the Webbs’ favorite works were given by alumnus Paul Patton, associate professor of communication; Esther Maddox, associate professor emeritus in communication; and senior Britain Willcock. The art gallery also featured two new commissioned pieces of art celebrating inauguration and its theme, “Globalization through the Eyes of Faith."
Founded in 1873, by leaders of the Free Methodist Church, Spring Arbor University offers innovative, cutting-edge undergraduate and graduate degrees at 13 sites across Michigan, and around the world through its SAUonline program.